Department photo of Officer Wallace courtesy of the Myrtle Beach Police Department.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - An eagle-eyed South Carolina police officer is being hailed a hero after she noticed a woman mouthing the words ‘help me’ during a traffic stop.
According to the Myrtle Beach Police Department, Officer Wallace was patrolling the streets of Myrtle Beach around 5:30 a.m. when she saw a white Jeep run a red light at an intersection.
Investigators say Officer Wallace pulled the vehicle over and saw a woman in the driver’s seat and a man in the passenger’s seat.
She said the woman looked distressed and as she spoke with the couple, she noticed the driver mouth ‘help me’ repeatedly when the man wasn’t looking.
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MBPD says the officer took note of the woman’s message, removed the man from the vehicle, and placed him in the back of her patrol car.
When she returned to the Jeep, the woman said the man had just shot someone.
Moments later, according to the agency, a "Be on the Look Out" (BOLO) was sent over the radio from dispatch regarding a vehicle that was just involved in a shooting in the county.
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The suspect was arrested and police say they recovered an illegal pistol from underneath the man’s seat.
In a social media post, the agency praised Officer Wallace for her dedication, "Our department and our community is lucky to have Officer Wallace. Great Job!"