In a heartwarming Facebook post, Illinois State Trooper Tracy Lillard, A.K.A. “Trooper Tracy,” took time to thank a professional tanker truck driver for their safe driving recently.
Her post, which has been shared over 1,000 times, reads:
Dear Fuel Hauler,
I saw you on I-74 coming up behind me. You moved over when I was merging back onto the road from the shoulder of the ramp. As you passed me I saw you were a fuel tanker. You had your blinker on to move back into the driving lane in front of me and I flashed my headlights at you.
You safely moved in, flashing your lights back at me.
A warm trucker hug. That’s what that means to me. I grew up with an appreciation of truck drivers as my dad has driven a semi since before I was born.
I followed you from Downs, through Bloomington-Normal and on up I-39 on my way to Olgesby. You pulled off at Wenona, about 20 miles before I exited. I highly doubt you realized I was a state trooper. I was in an unmarked silver squad.
I saw the trucking company you were hauling for was out of Sullivan, IL. That’s near my stomping grounds. You had some sweet smoke stacks on your truck.
I felt safe traveling near you on the roadway. I think I passed you once due to traffic, but I seemed to just stay behind and enjoy the drive. You moved over for other merging traffic. You used your blinker, obeyed the speed limit, and respected driver’s following distance.
I was on the interstates traveling to a college to visit and before I left the house my daughters told me “Be Safe Mom”. It’s people like you that make me happy to be a state trooper. I assume you have a family at home too that you want to return safely to at the end of your work day.
You showed several true signs of a great driver. I felt comfortable sharing the road with you…and that’s why I chose to fall in behind you and take in the scenery and listen to the radio.
You have a huge responsibility as a trucker hauling fuel.
Your placard read 1203 . I hope others recognize that placard and type of tanker you pull and the importance of driving safe around such vehicles.
I appreciate you and applaud your driving I witnessed. I may be in Recruitment now, but I will always continue to shout out the drivers with the great behavior I see.
Well done Sir. Well done.
Sincerely,
Trooper Tracy
The tanker driver, Dan Fehr, commented on her post the next day.
“Trooper Tracy, wow I appreciate the compliment and thanks for what you do, I remember a silver 4 wheeler following me yesterday,” he commented with a photo of his shiny fuel tanker, decked out with some sweet smoke stacks.
