He Arrested Her 10 Years Ago. Every Year, She Delivers Him A Thank-You Card

December 8, 2025

Ten years ago, a routine traffic stop in Lebanon, Ohio changed two lives in ways neither person could have imagined.

Photo: WCPO 9

Every year on December 5, Kimberly Slavens walks through the doors of Ohio State Patrol Post 83 with a handwritten card for the trooper who arrested her for OVI (operating a vehicle while impaired). This year’s visit marked a major milestone — 10 years of sobriety.

“I can never thank you enough for the change that you made in my life,” Sgt. Brett Lee read aloud as he opened her card. Slavens wrote about how recovery allowed her to watch her son get married, buy her first home, and rebuild a life she once thought she had lost — all because she chose sobriety after that night in 2015.

At the time of her arrest, Slavens admitted she had been drinking heavily at a local bar and mistakenly believed she was sober enough to drive the next morning. When Lee pulled her over for speeding and failing to signal, it quickly became clear she was still impaired. It was her second OVI in just 16 months — and a devastating wake-up call.

Just three days later, Slavens entered rehabilitation. One year after her arrest, she returned to the patrol post with a thank-you card. What started as a simple gesture turned into an annual tradition — and an unexpected, life-changing friendship.

Over the years, Lee became a steady source of encouragement for Slavens, especially during moments when staying sober felt overwhelming. She says knowing she would see him every December 5 helped keep her accountable.

“Even when I struggle, I never want to disappoint him,” she shared.

To honor her 10-year milestone, Lee surprised Slavens with a distinguished service medallion during a ceremony in front of 170 state troopers at the patrol academy in Columbus. For the first time, she even rode with Lee in the front seat on the way there.

Photo by: Dwayne Slavey

Today, Slavens credits her recovery for everything she’s rebuilt — steady employment, homeownership, and a close relationship with her family. Her daily focus remains simple and powerful: “My only job today is to go to bed sober.”

She hopes her story encourages anyone struggling with addiction to seek help and believe change is possible. “Recovery is a lot of work,” she said, “but it is absolutely possible.”

Lee says watching her transformation over the past decade has been one of the most meaningful experiences of his career. Both hope their December 5 tradition will continue for many years to come.