Friday night, worked my 4 hour shift and talked myself into driving to the outskirts of town to fill up the truck at the reservation gas station because they have the 2nd lowest prices and it is closer than costco. I didn't want to but I wanted to avoid the next price increase and save a few bucks. Well, my mind wandered a bit and I didn't slow down in time for the 30mph zone. When I saw the headlights turn on from the SUV parked on the other side of the road I knew exactly who it belonged to.
When the pretty red and blue lights came on I pulled over, rolled down all four windows, grabbed my wallet and set it on the dash, put one hand out the window and the other on top of the steering wheel....... and waited. Not sure what took him so long to come up the my truck, I used to get there in about 6 or 7 seconds. Anyways, he walked up on the passenger side, let me know I was doing 45 in a 30 and asked for my license. Before he walked back to his car I politely asked if I should mention I am a retired Police Officer. He politely said "No." Which is fine, rules are for everyone and if the officer wants to write a ticket I wont argue or be upset (at him). About 5 minutes later he came back, handed me my license and said something similar to "Have a good night, just watch your speed." I thanked him, said I usually do the speed limit or a little under but I was still arguing with myself about going for fuel and even though I wanted to be going home straight from work I also wanted to beat the next 25 cent price increase. He laughed and then we had a pleasant conversation. He asked where I used to work, said he used to live in the area I patrolled, and asked me if I wanted to join the department. I laughed, said "Sorry, I am tired of dealing with people." He laughed and said he understood but the small town he works for is very friendly towards the police and they use a "Community Police" attitude and after he explained that I realized they are not into writing lots of tickets or arresting lots of people, they simply try to explain why it is better to follow the rules so you can avoid getting into trouble.
Top notch experience. And, as I am proof reading this I decided I am going to cut and past it into an email to the Chief Of Police to compliment the Officer and his very professional attitude. I know the few times I was handed those letters I played it down and said I was just doing my job but I was thinking of sending an email after the stop anyways so I will use this casual write up as the basis of my complimentary email.
For the record, since I moved to Utah I make every effort to drive the speed limit, use my turn signals, and not tailgate. And, on my way home at night I usually drive 55 in the 65 because you never know when a deer will run across the highway and I can't afford to repair any damage, or replace airbags, on my truck. I knew the road through the old part of town was 30mpg and I was about to slow down, what I didn't see to remind me was the speed limit sign a couple hundred yards before I passed the cop, simply because my mind was wandering due to no other traffic on the road.
OK, had a couple drinks and it is almost time for bed. Guess I have to take a quick shower first, worked up a sweat at work. Not because I was working hard, but because I wear a back brace and my lower back was sweating like crazy. OK, TMI, sweet dreams.
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