Fort Smith, Ark. – David, a Fort Smith resident, graduated from DWI Court after 14 months of effort that resulted in 351 days of sobriety and a new outlook on life.
About a year earlier, he had been arrested for driving while intoxicated, a moment that could have marked the end of his story. Instead, he turned it into a new beginning.
In a significant moment during the ceremony, David requested that Officer Chasity Mahan of the Fort Smith Police Department—the officer who had arrested him—be present so he could personally thank her for helping him turn his life around.
Officer Mahan said she was honored to attend, calling the experience one of the most rewarding moments of her career. “Watching someone go from the lowest point in their life to building something better is one of the most truly rewarding things I’ve ever experienced, and it’s something I wish every officer had the chance to feel,” she said.
David’s success, the department noted, served as a reminder that accountability, second chances, and community support can play a powerful role in changing lives.