A woman is pulled over in Lufkin on Thursday... but 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 Deputy.

He told the woman her headlights were too dim, but his sheriff's shirt and hat didn't fool the woman. 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 us, while officer impersonations are rare, they do happen.

So, remember to look for official vehicle markings. But, if an officer is in an undercover vehicle, they are still required to wear a visible badge... so keep a look out for it.

They also suggest that you try to pull over into a well lit and busy area. Officers will understand if youwant to drive a little further to ensure your safety.