In December 2025, my dad was pulled over in Fullerton, CA, for a California stop. My dad rolled down the window, sincerely apologized to Officer Levin, and simply spoke with kindness and respect for Officer Levin. Inspired by my father’s kindness, Officer Matthew Levin took the time to educate my dad on the dangers of a California rolling stop, let him off with a warning instead of a ticket, and gifted my dad a $10 gift card from Fullerton PD’s viral holiday program as a touching gesture of reciprocity. My dad came home inspired, telling my family of the story, and wanting to do more.
My dad called the lieutenant to praise Officer Levin and thank him for the way he handled the situation. A few days later, on Christmas Eve, our family delivered homemade cookies, chocolates, and a $10,000 donation to the Fullerton PD station—paying forward the kindness Officer Levin showed to my father— to show our family’s support for the difficult work that they do and to inspire people and officers to act with kindness and respect for one another.
Because Officer Levin took the time to explain rather than just ticket, my dad is now a more cautious driver, determined to prove him right and not repeat the mistake; without that education, a ticket alone might not have changed his habits…