She was able to turn her life around.
A soon-to-be college graduate in California has credited the police officer who arrested her with helping her get on the right path, and has shown her appreciation by inviting him to the upcoming ceremony.
Tiffany Hall was arrested five years ago by Lt. Jim Foster with the Long Beach Police Department on drug charges.
Hall is now thanking Lt. Foster for encouraging her to get off drugs and go to college.
“I became a product of my environment — drug infestation — and I became that,” Hall said as they recently reunited.
"But then somewhere, somehow Lt. Foster became a part of my life. For some reason, he would always take me to jail."
She added, "I would always try to talk my way out of that backseat," and described how Lt. Foster would laugh.
"She was a unique personality," Lt. Foster said. "Lots of humor. She had a great story to tell and I noticed she had a tough exterior but a soft interior."
Hall says Lt. Foster helped change her life by always encouraging her to do better for herself.
This week, Hall showed Lt. Foster that she heeded his advice and showed up at police headquarters to invite him to her upcoming college graduation. She is receiving her Bachelor’s degree in social work.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," Lt. Foster said.
He added that stories like Hall's inspire him.
"The biggest joy of my professional career is from time-to-time having contact with people who have found their way out of horrible circumstances and into life's success, things that a lot of us just take for granted for people who have a much rougher life story," he said.
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