(Let me preface this by saying that I am often on sanctioned business for public officials and often have "incidents" recalled or null-processed out of courtesy and recognition of my duties. In almost all cases, I submit and cooperate with officers of the law completely and modestly knowing that the eventual ticket outcome will be favorable to me.)

Departing a South Louisiana seafood restaurant tonight where we had celebrated my mom's 82nd birthday, Nancy and I are in the A6 (not the TT) following my parents in their Lincoln.

We're leaving Henderson, LA, a very small town with a history of police malfeasance and mischief, when I see blue lights behind me.

I slow and pull over as does my Dad to let the officer go by, however he pulls off behind me. When I return to the roadway because I knew I had committed no offense, he pulled on with me. I motioned for him to go around and pull ahead, when he squawked "I'm chasing you. Pull over."

I did so and was out of my car, hands away from my hips approaching him when I asked why I was being pulled over.

"I clocked you doing 48 in a 40, sir," the officer barked. "Pardon me, officer, but I was *not* exceeding the speed limit," I replied. (This is truly a rare occasion for me.)

"Yes, you were," he retorted, "I clocked you doing 48."

"Well officer, my radar detector didn't recognize your radar gun and I'll have to see evidence of speeding on your radar unit readout," I submitted, knowing that I was right.

It was then the officer admitted, "You can't see it, because I didn't lock it in."

My fairly calm but very firm response was, "Well officer, I don't believe you clocked me and if you can't show it to me, we're simply not doing business tonight."

He got angry and demanded my license, which I gladly and quickly surrendered, thinking that I was going to jail, but knowing that I had the law, a cadre of close attorney friends and dozens of sheriffs and senior public officials behind me if I needed them.

When the local officer returned to his car, I walked ahead to my Dad's car and told him what was up. He concured that I could not have been going over 42 because he was going exactly 40mph in the 40mph zone and I was behind him.

It was then, only twenty seconds after getting my license, that the officer shouted at me from his car, "Sir, here's your license. Get out of here."

Me, "Thank you officer. Have a nice evening."

I got in the A6 and motioned for the good officer to depart before I did so I could get some unit ID. He declined. So I turned around in the nearest parking lot in order to go back for his vehicle license and ID#.

"Stand down officer, you will not succeed in shaking me down, tonight."

Perhaps it was the Purple Heart on my Dad's license plate or the fact that I live in the seat of state government that convinced him that he had bitten off more than he could chew.

This incident of attempted shakedown will be reported to proper authorities on Monday.

If you ever visit Henderson, LA for some of the greatest seafood dishes in the world, remember the local officers exceed their job descriptions a bit too quickly.

 

I Love South Louisiana!. My Grandmother used to say it was like living in a 3rd world country

 

what sort of work do you do?

 

Issue management, political and image consulting - often under excruciating deadline. ;-)

 

Western portions of Illinois used to be terrible, but they were smooth as glass compared to I-20 through LA.

 

Are you bald, dress badly, and have the disposition of a cornered porcupine?

 

My grandfather was a lawyer that worked for Huey Long at one time. I think it was the politics

 

From the TT forum member pages.....

I wouldn't call this too fashionable....actually kinda rumpled. It was the morning after pulling an all nighter - over 24 in these clothes. lol<ul><li><a href="http://audittclub.fotki.com/tt_fourm_member_photos/nextt.html">Me Picture</a></li></ul>

 

Are there any...yep, NM and California according to individual state's votes - really!!!

 

total *******. I mean, it's not like a shot someone right? I love it too, waiting right after it changed from 65 to 55. Speeding is bull**** anyway, not to mention taxes for a ton of ****ty roads.

-st