I had a contact with an LEO today.  My first in a very long time, other than social.  I drive much more than the average, so I have lots of exposure (50,000+ miles per year).  It was an Illinois State Police Sargeant.  In town.  I was driving on a main street, and glanced in my mirror to change lanes.  When I looked back the light was changing to yellow, and I was late for an appointment, soooooooo . . . I said to myself, screw it I'm goin'!  The light turned red just as I entered the intersection.  No danger, but definitely stretching things.  My bad.  I went most of the next block, happened to check my mirrors and saw red/blue lights being used to cross the intersection on "my" red.  Uh-oh.  I made the green at the next block, turned left and started up a long bridge.  So did the ISP Officer.  Right on my tail.  Uh-oh.  He lit me up when we reached the other side.  I pulled into a restaurant parking lot and rolled my window down.  I knew I was a had lad.  He was almost too friendly.  He asked for my driver's license and proof of insurance.  My insurance card was buried in a bunch of gas receipts in my glove box.  I told him I would find it.  He asked me if I had insurance on the vehicle.  I said yes--I am an insurance agent.  He chuckled and asked if I knew why he stopped me.  I said (in a nice way) surprise me.  He said I ran the red light at the intersection of . . . and he was going to have to issue a citation for that.  I said, yeah, I cut it pretty close.  He said he'd be right back.  After what seemed like an eternity, he came back, and explained that he was issuing a WARNING, which "does not count against you, and costs you nothing! Please sign here to acknowledge."  I was astounded and told him so.  He said to be careful, that "we're really just out here to get the bad guys, and you are friendly and polite.  When I told you I was giving you a citation, it was just a test. Had you been hostile and upset I would've given you one.  You're a nice guy, so have a nice day, and again, be careful."  

Who says nice guys finish last?  [:D]

Thank you again, Sargeant, if you are a member of this board.  I will fight to my dying breath if I am unjustly accused, but I expect to take my knocks for anything I do wrong.  I was wrong, but you gave me a break.  [:)]

I was pulled over about 3 weeks ago coming home from work. I was going 60 in a 50. The RCMP officer was new to the area and came up the side of my truck right next to it. My back windows are tinted and he couldn't see me until he was right up to the window. When he saw my uniform he relaxed. He then asked me if I knew why he pulled me over. I told him I had a pretty good idea. He then asked if I knew how fast I was going. When I told him 60 it surprised him. Most people say no. Anyway..I got a warning for the speeding and a $215 fine for having an expired (by almost a year) drivers license. Plus I had to get someone to come pick me up and drive my truck home. But..I met a possible new player for our LEO slo-pitch team.[:D]
Lesson learned..take your license out of your wallet every now and then and check to see when it expires!! [spank]