Officials: Driver Pulled Over by Impersonator

LUFKIN — A woman is pulled over in Lufkin on Thursday — but allegedly not by an officer. Officials say Justin McDonald, 19, put a red and blue emergency light on his car and pretended to be an Angelina County sheriff’s deputy. According to reports, he told the woman her headlights were too dim, but his sheriff’s shirt and hat didn’t fool the woman. She says she recognized him as one of her neighbors. McDonald was later arrested for impersonating an officer, a third degree felony. He could get up to 20 years in prison.

So, the question is: how can you tell if an officer is legitimate? Angelina County law enforcement tells our news partner KETK that while officer impersonations are rare, they do happen. So, officials say, remember to look for official vehicle markings. But if an officer is in an undercover vehicle, he or she is still required to wear a visible badge — so keep on the lookout for it. Authorities also suggest that you try to pull over into a well-lit and busy area. Officers say they’ll understand if you want to drive a little further to ensure your safety.