Me and my lady just went out and did a little shopping and on our way back, I got pulled over by a Highway Patrol officer for speeding. Soon after I pulled over, I realized I forgot to grab my wallet on the way out and almost immediately, I conjured up a mental image of me being taken away by the cop to the police station in handcuffs.

So the officer approached us by the passenger side and asked for my driver license, car registration and insurance. I answer him that I had forgotten my wallet and began to look for the car registration and insurance, pretty much thinking I'm screwed... royally. Then I handed him the papers and he told me I was doing 77 - 79 at a 65 zone, then asked me to step outside of my car, which I thought was a very bad sign. I was thinking, "This is it... he's gonna cuff me now... how is he going to take me to the station in his motorcycle?"

At this point, I was standing right next to him and his bike. He verified my name with my paperwork then radio his station to pull up my DL info and my address, height, weight and the color of my hair and eyes. Then he asked if I used to have a CDL (which I used to have for driving school bus), where I work now, where I was just coming from (the mall), and, just keep reminding me that I need to go slower and be careful. At this point I was just waiting for him to lay it down on me, but... it never came.

He told me, I need to go to the court, show them my DL, then my ticket will be dismissed.

HUH?!?!

He repeated, pointing to the paperwork he had for me, to an address for the court I need to go to. He explained again that I need to show them my DL, or I might even be able to fax it in, and the ticket will be dismissed. He warned that I will need to do it before December 3rd, or else I will be in real trouble.

I said to him, "Are you sure? You are being too kind to me here." Can't believe what I was hearing and, pretty sure I had a dazed look on my face.

He chuckled, "Hah, you didn't expect that because I'm a traffic cop?" He slightly tilt his head and glance at his bike while finishing up the ticket.

I asked again, "So you are saying I don't have to pay the fine?" Pointing to the part of the paperwork where it shows the fine for different violation, which read "Dismissing on showing of driver's license.....$120.00"

He repeated, "No you don't have to pay. Just go to the court and show them your DL and they will dismissed the ticket."

Then he finally gave me the ticket and warned me again, just be careful and don't speed.

Wow. I can't help but shook his hand before I got back into my car and drove away.

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I'm not saying that because I got away pretty much scotch free that I am saying he is a good cop. But, seriously, I forgot my DL and I was speeding, that's a double whammy and all I got to do was to just show up in court and show them my ID? Even I thought that was too lenient. Especially with the current budget issue I'm sure every muncipalities had to deal with, giving me the ticket will surely contribute to that cause, plus the fact that I didn't have my DL and was speeding I still cannot see why the punishment wasn't more severe.

But, I'm sure glad it turned out the way it did.

I hear too many bad cop stories out there, about how they abuse their power and mishandled investigations. But I seldomly hear any praise or commendation on any of the police work. Although I'm not sure by not giving me the fine he did the right thing, but, I guess my point is, not all cops are the same, and it happens to turn out it is in my favor this time.