Saved by the Sherriff

[W8NONU]

Had been having a difficult week so I decided to take the RT out to some of the local roads to get the adrenaline pumping and then mellow out on a ride around the lake.

 

The first half of the ride was pretty good. Hit a lot of the twisty routes without running into any traffic. I had given some thought to putting the radar detector on the bike since I knew I was going to fracture a speed limit or two, but in the end left it at home. I made it through all the fun roads without incident.

 

I begin the ride around the lake on some nice mellow twisty roads with great scenery. By now my mood has changed and I am smelling the roses. The speed limit in the area I was in is only 45 mph. I am just tooling along when I round the bend and see a patrol car. As I notice him the lights come on. I look at my speed and know he has just tagged me. I am doing 74 mph in the 45 zone. There is a road ahead to the right so I just go ahead and turn right to get off the main road and stop. As I am taking my helmet off the patrol car goes flying by. At this point I am thinking maybe he got a call and had turned his lights on prior to turning around and heading for the call. I could not see the car because of the trees, but heard tires screeching. I guess when he made it to the dam and did not see me he knew I must have turned off on the road I am on since it is the only road around. Sure enough, he comes flying back up toward where I am, turns in behind me and gets out of the car. It was a young (30 or so) deputy. He comes over to me and I can tell he is ticked off. He asks if I thought it was cute trying to lose him. I explain that I just pulled off the main road because of the blind curve I was on so it would not interfere with any other traffic and I waited for him to turn around. He must have been having a bad day because he started yelling at me about all the crotch rockets flying around the lake all the time and I was driving recklessly through the curves. I tried to explain to him that I knew I was speeding, but was not one of the kids that rode through here trying to see how fast they could go. He asked for my license and insurance papers which I produced. He then told me to wait and went back to his car. At this time another Sherriff's car pulled in behind him. The officer, in his late 50's got out of the car and walked over to me. He looks the bike over and says "nice bike". After a couple of minutes of chatting back and forth the first officer comes back over and begins telling the older officer that I had tried to hide from him. It was pretty funny because the older officer then looked around the area and said "he must not be too bright because he didn't pick much of a hiding spot". He then turned to me and asked if I had tried to hide or run from the first officer. I told him what had happened and he then turned to the younger officer and asked if maybe he just lost sight of me when he was turning his vehicle around. The younger officer looked at him a little sheepishly and said he had lost sight of me and took off up the road in pursuit, but when he reached the dam he did not see me and knew I must have turned off on this road. The older officer then asked "was he hiding from you when you came back and began looking for him"? Once again the young officer looked down and said "no". Now the older officer turned to me and asked if I knew how fast I was going. I told him I had not been paying attention to my speed. I was just out for a ride and when I saw the patrol car I looked at the speedometer and saw I was doing around 72-73 mph. When I saw the lights on the patrol car come on I pulled over to where we are now and waited for him. When he passed me by I continued to wait because I was not sure if he just did not see me when he went by or if he had recieved a call he was responding to.

 

He then began to tell me stories of his chases along this stretch of the lake with kids on motorcycles and a couple of deaths he had persoanlly witnessed. I assured him I was just not paying attention. I was not trying to race through here and see how fast I could go. He admonished me a little and then told the younger officer he needed to calm down and relax. He told me I was getting off with a warning at which the younger officer started to complain, but was told to let it go by the older officer.

 

I got off lucky because this ticket would have cost me over $200 for sure plus an insurance hike.

[swilson]

 

Glad the old fart came to calm the high strung rookie down I can imagine what the radio traffic sounded like! LOL

[bakerzdosen]

Stories like that I really LIKE hearing... Thanks for sharing.

 

[ghan]

You sure you weren't in N. Carolina by mistake?

 

 

Sherrif Taylor "Now Barney, just settle down and put that bullit back in your shirt pocket."

 

"But Andy, he was running! Let me shoot him just once in the leg."

[hANNAbONE]

wHAT a pRICELESS sTORY..

 

I suppose once that helmet came off - and Mr LEO saw that you were not a squid//...er - um - "younger"

and that you weren't a "runner" - it played into the hands of the sheriff and his "take" on what really happened...

 

Good for you -

 

Be Well..

[Bonkorama]

Fantastic story.

It's reassuring to see that with age, comes reason most of the time.

 

I know a real funny joke about 2 bulls on the hill looking down at some cows. But to tell it would just get me in trouble. But the punch line is really about wisdom. (I hope i've redeemed myself from even just mentioning that joke).

[bakerzdosen]

 

Ah yes... the movie Colors (1988) is a great parallel to this story. (The first place I heard that joke).

[Tony_K]

I love that story!

I wish to add one of my own if I may...

 

Well over a decade ago I was riding up 101 into oxnard "over the hill" for the locals on my 600 FZR.

Just rolling.. maybe a bit above limit and working around much slower cars in the first 2 lanes.

Well I guess while I was doing this I was being tailed by CHP in a car.

 

I had no idea he was behind me at any point. The mirrors on a fzr can attest to that as they are completly useless.

I got to the bottom of the hill and glanced back... saw lights. Really didn't think it was for me so I started getting over He stayed behind me! OK now I see it's for me and pull over.

 

Over the loud speaker I was commanded to stop bike, get off, hands in air off to the sides, kneel down, lay down hands out to the sides. All fully geared up with helmet on.

 

I think I got cuffed. As this was all transpiring more cars showed up I think 3 total one WITH A FILM CREW!!!!

 

The pursuing officer (rookie) was all hot and demading to know why I didn't stop for him while he was yelling at me over his loud speaker while "in pursuit?"

 

I never heard a thing sir I am on a motorcycle with helmet and wind noise.

 

A CO came up and asked in a more calm manner why I didn't respond upon seeing the lights. I said I did... once I NOTICED them.

 

I eventually was released but my bike was impounded. I got it back the same day with 100 dollars and a truck. I was on a rider's permit at the time so this was the standard deal.

 

I had to go to court but got the fleeing charge dropped with the help of a public defender and several magazine articals about how the FZR mirrors do not aid in rear view!

 

I basically had to pay a speeding ticket after it was all said and done.

The best part of this bad tale was the court room was filled with small children there on a field trip. The judge said so you were going 90 mph at one point and all the children said OHHH!!!!

It was embarrasing to be chastised by small kids!

[flat_twin]

Hats off to you for taking the high road so to speak. Your willingness to own up to a speed violation resulted in a warning instead of a ticket. The senior officer gets high marks too for seeing the situation for what it was.

Good story!!

[Silver Surfer/AKAButters]

Sherrif Taylor "Now Barney, just settle down and put that bullit back in your shirt pocket."

 

"But Andy, he was running! Let me shoot him just once in the leg."

 

You nailed it!

[wrestleantares]

Good story, and not to defend the young deputy but:

 

1. All non-cruisers seem to be referred to as crotch rockets by non-riders. I know because I ride a 800+ pound behemoth K12LT. It has been referred to as a crotch rocket more than once. I guess it is the tupperware. (I have also never had a naked bike -no matter how outrageously powerful - referred to as a crotch rocket in my presence).

 

2. He apparently did not give himself time to think. He was understandably ticked with his initial thought that you attempted to elude and did not think things through once he saw you on the road waiting.

 

I've had good experiences with LEO's on the whole, and would tend to give this young one the benefit of the doubt. A good superior (sounds like the second officer is just that - will help him season well).

[Mike]

One thing to remember in the event of a "pursuit," is that the officer is quite likely to be hyped up . . . by the speed he was traveling, by the excitement of the chase, and, quite possibly, by fear. Additionally, in this case the younger cop thought Jim (the OP) was eluding him, so he's going to come into the situation in a confrontational mode.

 

A calm demeanor, an objective description of the fact, and being a geezer can all help to bring down the emotionally-charged state of the LEO, with the end result being better for all involved.

[waylap]

Sounds like you got treated right. Don't forget to wave at us when we pass brother, just because I'm in the pig rig doesn't mean I'm not on my own RT when I get off shift! Be careful out there and remember it's your attitude that also helped you out. I can't tell you how refreshing it is when an honest person says " yup, you got me, or I wasn't paying attention, just out on a ride to shake off the days worries". I let those drive on with a handshake. The ones that are demanding to see the radar or laser or say " bullspit, I had the cruise control on!" are the ones that get the paperwork.

[tobyzusa]

I had given some thought to putting the radar detector on the bike since I knew I was going to fracture a speed limit or two, but in the end left it at home.

 

When you and I were following Philby in THC, would that qualify as a sprain, a fracture, or a break?

 

Happy for your good fortune, Jim.

[Lineareagle]

Had an interesting experience in Utah.

Was driving through a small town and just inching along, my perception.

Went through a school zone at 25. Then back up to 35.

Was getting close to exiting the town and noticed my chin strap was loose so pulled over on a flat spot just outside of town.

Take off my gloves and start to do up the helmet when a deputy pulls in behind me with lights on.

I thought he was acting as protection on the road and wondering if I needed help.

Sir the reason I am stopping you is for excessive speed.

44 in a 30.

I was dumb founded.

He reduced it to 35 in a 30 - $82.50!

 

Gad.

[ShovelStrokeEd]

The last time, at least I hope it is the last, I was cruising along on my Blackbird, just basically minding my own business and managing traffic in my normal fashion. I had just ridden from Greensboro, NC to Houston, TX in 95-100 degree heat and was feeling a little fatigued so I wasn't really pushing.

 

My gas gauge had been whining at me for a couple of miles so I signaled, and pulled over on a left exit ramp to go find some gas. Surprise, surprise, a LEO is on my tail with lights on. Pull over on the breakdown lane and remove my helmet. Asks me if I knew how fast I was going. "Not really," says I, " I do tend to move a little faster than traffic though." "Clocked you at 80 in a 55." "No doubt, I could have been going that fast at one point, although I thought the limit was still 65."

 

Upshot was, after a bit of back and forth and a check on my license, registration and insurance, he comes back with, "you really look like you can use a drink of water, this heat can make you do stupid stuff." He then led me to a public park where I was able to get a drink and escorted me back onto the freeway to my destination, which was Rice University.

 

Turns our he had been following me for 5 miles at speeds between 70 and 80 the whole time. He said, other than the speed, I really wasn't doing much wrong, indicating most of my lane changes, not tail gating and not cutting folks off. He had just never seen anyone riding like that before, nor anyone on a sport bike with full hard luggage and a sock monkey perched on the top box. I'm convinced my normally polite demeanor and that sock monkey saved me yet another ticket. I certainly didn't have a leg to stand on. Of course the DOB containing 1942 on my license probably didn't hurt either.

 

Among the very few advantages of getting older.

[W8NONU]

Hey Brad, that ride would have qualified as "Shattered" and time to go meet Bubba in the county stockade.

[upflying]

Attitude and accepting responsibility goes a long way in roadside traffic court hearings. Here's what I learned in 30 years of service.

If I give the violator an ass chewing, you will drive off with a warning.

If I'm quiet and say nothing it's because I'm busy writing you a citation.

[PRC]

Attitude and accepting responsibility goes a long way in roadside traffic court hearings. Here's what I learned in 30 years of service.

If I give the violator an ass chewing, you will drive off with a warning.

If I'm quiet and say nothing it's because I'm busy writing you a citation.

 

Well said brother....so true, so true....

[baggerchris]

I live in a small rural county where the Sheriff is a very nice Human Being with a job to do. He does it with intelligence and class and trains his Deputies to be the same way. If you act accordingly and are a regular citizen, the Department is truly your friend. Just like in the old days, and what we all long for. Just for the record, he doesn't know me; Doesn't know who I am from my name here, and I don't personally know him. Just an observation from living here a fairly long time.

[Schupo]

As a field training officer and later as a supervisor, I have on occasion had to reel in an over-zealous hot-shot like the one in this story. However, I can't imagine doing so in front of citizens, let alone the violator. That rookie needed a good a**-chewing and a lesson in police-community relations, as well as some guidance in keeping his own adrenaline in check.

 

But the violator should have been sent on his way with a warning before that "come-to-Jesus" talk with the rookie.

 

Reasonable, professional, and competent law-enforcement officers are not developed by using embarrassment in a public setting. If that department expects its officers to deal ethically with the public, its training and staff development methods should meet that same standard.

[tobyzusa]

However, I can't imagine doing so in front of citizens, let alone the violator.

 

Jim, its got a bit of a nice ring to it...."The Violator"....

 

I assume you will be changing your screen name soon?

[redryder]

April 12, Kansas.

 

I was +22 over the posted limit when a State Trooper in an unmarked car let it be known that he wasn't impressed with my RTs performance. He was coming toward me and when I got within 100 feet of him, I saw the car hit the shoulder hard. I looked over, saw it was a Trooper, then looked down to see my speedo at nearly 90 mph. I immediately pulled over, with flashers on, and only made it to taking my gloves off when he came out of the car and toward me like he was going to knock me off the dang bike.

 

He asked if I knew how fast I was going, and I told him that I was speeding, and that I was just not paying attention. I explained to him that I was on my way to Kingman, KS to visit my dad's grave and I hadn't been there since he passed 7 years ago. I told him that my mind was on my dad and I appologized for not being more attentive. Totally unimpressed, he asked for my license. I told him that my license was in the glove box and I would be happy to get it for him, but for his safety, he needed to know that I had a loaded weapon on the bike. He asked where it was, and I told him in the left pannier. He asked about a permit, and I told him I had all of my necessary credentials. When he asked for my insurance papers, I explained that they were under my (Sergent) seat. As I was fishing them out, then he complimented me on my bike. I thanked him, and he asked if it ran good. I responded "evidently!"

 

The officer admonished me to stay away from the bike and my weapon while he finished the traffic stop. He returned to me and said that since I was very cooperative, and not argumentative, he was going easy on me. He said he would only write me up for doing 87 in a 65. DANG!! That's what I was doing. I guess he could have hauled my tail in for wreckless or something of the such, but he gave me a ticket with $175 fine.

 

I called the courthouse the day it was due, and to my surprise, the Trooper didn't turn the citation in. Long story short, he didn't get it in before close of business that day and the judge dismissed the charge. The court clerk called me last Friday to formally tell me the charge and fine had been dismissed. The ticket was written in Greensburg, KS and was handled in Kiowa County court. Less than 12 hours after the nice court clerk called me, Greensburg was obliterated by the tornado. I was happy to get out of the ticket that I clearly deserved, but was also saddned by the news of the town's demise. I think I'll send the fine amount to the Red Cross for disaster relief in Greensburg.