Good and Bad day... (partial rant)

[eagles405]

My Fire dept I volunteer with worked a 266 acre fire on the Cherokee and Nacogdoches county line today and saved three threatened houses with about 8 hours of hard work... Fire name Henderson-521 on the TAMU fire activity map is rite at 266 acres and 90% contained ( it shows unknown for both acreage and size on the activity map) At this point I am feeling good about the days work...

Then on the way back home at 11 tonight I get pulled over and given a citation for rolling a stop sign... I don't think I rolled it, there was nobody in any direction on any of the roads (I remember that) but can't prove I stopped and honestly was just to tired to pay attention to whether I came to a complete stop or not when nobody was around. The officer was parked in a dark driveway with all lights off. The officer could see I was exhausted, covered in ash and commented on my fire department shirt and all the fires we have been having and still gave me a ticket instead of a warning. I don't blame him for doing his job but a little consideration would go along ways. I guess I get to pay a ticket and take the defensive driving class...fun So that sums up my day in a nut shell. Everybody stay safe out there!

[Loreva13]

Sorry to hear about the bad part of your but thanks for all hard work you are putting in fighting those fores out there.

[Brazos Hunter]

I agree, he "should have". Here's something I know, the area is hurting for $ and with the fires they are hurting even more! I mean, right around the corner in Alto they closed the Police Dept! Alto does not have a Police force for now because of $$$

[Ricky T]

Sorry to hear about the bad part of your but thanks for all hard work you are putting in fighting those fores out there.

Me too, brother.

[cehorn]

I know it isn't right but after he gave me the ticket I would have told him I hope your house never catches fire and I get the call. I would telll him because of you I will stop a full minute at every stop sign on the way to your burning house. Thanks for the professional courtesy! Sorry for the rant but money generating tickets drive me nuts. Tickets should be about safety and this ticket was clearly not about safety.

[Eagles1181]

My gut is take a picture of yourself covered in ash and exhausted. Explain to the prosecutor (city or counties lawyer) that you intend to show it to the jury. I am pretty sure he will drop the charges because he know there is no way he will find a full jury that will convict after that. May be wrong, but I would think seriously about fighting it.

Eagle

[Redneck Archer]

I know it isn't right but after he gave me the ticket I would have told him I hope your house never catches fire and I get the call. I would telll him because of you I will stop a full minute at every stop sign on the way to your burning house. Thanks for the professional courtesy! Sorry for the rant but money generating tickets drive me nuts. Tickets should be about safety and this ticket was clearly not about safety.

If I was as tired as I am sure the OP was. I could see myself having this same reaction/response/frustration.

It would not made for the best situation...

probably best that you just took the ticket and not came off as "we" may have "hot headed".

Fight it in court... Not a jury out there would "convict" you.

[eagles405]

I have seen enough house fires and would never wish one on my worst enemy... I feel I was as polite as I could be.

[hoythunter28]

Thanks for what you do, and take it in stride that would be the only good suggestion I would have.

[Atfulldraw]

I've said it before, but I'll say it again.

The bad (or lazy, or stupid, or inconsiderate, or rude) ones really make it hard on the good ones.

Thanks for all your hard work! Sorry about the ticket.

[Reaper]

thanks for your hard work and the ticket sux