A routine traffic inspection turned into an unforgettable episode for South Dakota Highway Patrol Trooper Elyse Helkenn as she gained an unexpectedly furry friend during her workday.
According to Helkenn’s story, while he was stopping a driver for speeding, an orange cat appeared out of nowhere and began to show its affection in a surprising way. “While I was explaining to the driver the reason for the stop, I felt something brush against my leg, not a very encouraging feeling when you are alone in a remote place,” the officer told NewsCenter1.
The kitten, who did not belong to the detained driver, seemed to be looking for affection and climbed onto Helkenn’s shoulders until he almost managed to strip her of her hat with his effusive snuggles. This moment was recorded on the police vehicle’s dashboard camera video.
Officer Helkenn was then tasked with finding a home for the cat. After checking with neighbors and confirming that it was a homeless animal, she took it to the Black Hills Humane Society, where it was quickly adopted.
When recalling the event with the media, Helkenn expressed his excitement and surprise at the situation: “In the original video, which I shared with my colleagues, I can be heard saying The best traffic stop in history.”
