HOUSTON – A Precinct 5 deputy came to the rescue of a single mother at an unlikely time: as he was writing her a speeding ticket.

At the end of March, Senior Deputy Joe Marquez pulled a woman over for going about 20 miles over the speed limit on Alief Clodine Road. When Deputy Marquez approached the car, he saw the woman’s two scared children in the back seat. He also noticed two of the woman’s tires needed to be replaced.

After speaking with the woman, Deputy Marquez realized she was going through some tough financial times. He not only decided to rip up her ticket but went and bought her two brand-new tires.

Deputy Marquez, who has been with Precinct 5 for nearly 30 years, says his job isn’t always about enforcing the law.