Mom thanks state trooper who helped son change flat tire

A Virginia mom's Facebook post praising a state trooper's positive interaction with her son has gone viral.

Virginia Tech student Joseph Owusu, 20, was driving home from school this past week when he got a flat tire. State Trooper Matt Okes pulled up alongside Owusu in the early hours of the morning to make sure the student was safe and then helped him to change the tire, according to ABC affiliate WSET.

After Dr. Nada Owusu, the student's mother, learned of the positive interaction, she posted a photo of Okes and her son to Facebook with a message on Facebook praising the state trooper for his help and not assuming that her son had stolen the car.

"That area is very dangerous," Dr. Owusu told WSET. "The road is curvy, there are no lights, it's very dark. It alerted any oncoming car he was there, so that was great. And then him staying with him, it was very comforting to me as a mother."

Owusu's Facebook post has received over 22,000 shares and many positive comments.

"Awesome! That was truly amazing!! God be praised. He used a willing Officer Okes!" wrote one Facebook user.

"Thank God your son is safe. Tire blowouts can be dangerous. Thanks for taking care of my friend's son, officer Matt Okes!" wrote another.

Officer Okes released a statement saying he has been overwhelmed by the positive reaction to the photo.

"I certainly wasn't expecting the photo to receive as much attention as it has," Okes said. "I was simply doing my job as any other Virginia state trooper would. I appreciate the kind comments by Dr. Owusu and am glad Joseph and his parents were able to finally make it home safe. I am honored to be a member of the Virginia state police and am blessed by God to serve and protect."