Somerville Cop Surprises Woman With Touching Gesture After Traffic Stop

Photo Credit: Robin Sutherland

A Somerville police officer is making headlines for all the right reasons after surprising one woman with a beautiful, heartwarming gesture.

Robin Sutherland was rushing to visit her 90-year-old mother after learning she was in need of urgent hospice care. While on the way, she was pulled over for going 40 mph in a 30 mph zone, according to Officer Ashley Catatao.

After checking Sutherland’s driving record, Catatao noticed she was visibly distraught. Catatao asked what was wrong and Sutherland explained the situation. Catatao offered some words of support before sending her along with a written warning.

“As a police officer, even when I am pulling a motorist over for speeding or another infraction, I try not to lose track of the fact that I serve this community and that people driving in Somerville are real people with real things happening in their lives,” Catatao said.

Catatao later learned Sutherland was from Winchester. She then called a local florist to have a bouquet of flowers and a note delivered to Sutherland and her family.

Later that day, Sutherland returned home to discover the large bouquet of flowers, along with a touching note. “I’m very sorry to hear about your mother,” Catatao’s note read. “I hope you find comfort in knowing she lived a long life and will continue to live on in your heart and in your memories.”

“I still have my mother, and I am a mother, and my heart goes out to that family for what they are going through,” Catatao said.

Chief Fallon praised Catatao’s empathy and professionalism.

“We can never, as law enforcement officers, forget about the people we serve, even when they are technically breaking the law,” Fallon said.