Volunteer Firefighter Becomes a Victim of Mistaken Identity

SWEETWATER, TX – A volunteer firefighter was the victim of mistaken identity after a suspicious driver believed he was impersonating an police officer.

According to KTXS, the driver told a deputy that an individual in a tan-colored minivan tried to pull their vehicle over on County Road 220. When the driver pulled over and stopped, the minivan kept going.

The driver became suspicious and decided to follow the minivan along several roads near Lake Sweetwater and believed the alleged impersonator attempted to stop other vehicles by flashing his lights. The driver said the lights appear to be on the dashboard of the minivan.

The driver contacted the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office who then proceed to publish a Facebook post warning citizens of “someone impersonating a law enforcement officer" and provided a description of the vehicle. A couple of hours later the sheriff’s office removed the post, which had already been shared 125 times.

They then provided an update explaining the driver of the tan minivan was a volunteer firefighter that was responding to a call.

They are advising drivers who may face a similar situation and are unsure the person is attempting to stop them is a real law enforcement officer to not stop. The safest thing to do is to turn on hazard lights and drive to a well-lit, populated area. Additionally, call 911 and ask dispatch to verify if a real officer is trying to conduct a traffic stop.