This reads like a "Dukes of Hazzard" plot line that was rejected as unbelievable

[markw]

"It was just too much, having to return to court twice on the same day to contest yet another traffic ticket, and Fire Chief Don Payne didn't hesitate to tell the judge what he thought of the police and their speed traps.

The response from cops? They shot him. Right there in court.

It's unclear exactly what happened next, but Martin said an argument between Payne and the seven police officers who attended the hearing apparently escalated to a scuffle, ending when an officer shot Payne from behind."

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9AG1PD80&show_article=1

 

[MatthewB.]

Sounds like the city I grew up in. When I attended high School in Oro Valley (suburb of Tucson) there were only two things in Oro Valley, a high school and a police department and homes. So everyday at 3pm when school let out the cops would just sit outside the school and issue outrageous citations. The whole town of oro Valley at the time (80's) was 25mph. I got a ticket for going 27 mph (84.00 ticket) when I went to court (also in Oro Valley) I tried to explain that a gust of wind could cause a car to move 2mph faster if need be. There was no luck, the judge told me I was a menace to his city (for going two miles faster than the posted speed mind you) and that the ticket will be enforced. So I paid the 84 dollars and got a wonderful 3 points on my record which jacked up my insurance (when your a teen insurance companies have no sympathy for even one point) and Oro Valley made so much money on tickets that they expanded their city so now it covers the northern part of Tucson.

 

[Adam]

I live in Oro Valley. It's a lot bigger now than in the 80s, like you mentioned. Heck, it's a lot bigger than when I moved here in 2000 (I liked it smaller, but things change). I've heard all the stories about the police up here, but it seems that times have changed. They're still out waiting to hand out tickets, but I've seen people go by them at easily 5 mph over the limit without getting pulled over. I don't push it when I see them, though.

 

[MatthewB.]

Adam it was small in the 80's (went to C.D.O. class of 87) and that tiny two lane street that runs along CDO was just one giant speed trap. Yeah it has gotten much larger, my folks still live there and although pretty, I couldnt wait to boogie on out of there after college. The only tickets I ever got in life were attending high school in Oro Valley, which kinda tells you what pricks they were.

 

[Adam]

Oh, I believe you! I hope that I didn't come across like I didn't. I have seen one bike cop act like a total jerk to an older woman just down the street from me, but the small number of cops that I've spoken with seemed pretty nice. I actually like having them hang out at the street near me because most people go too fast on it, IMO. It's 25 mph, but it should be. There is a bend right near the entrance to my street, and I've just about gotten t-boned a couple of times because I'll pull out with no one in view just before someone comes flying around the bend. That, and kids cross right there to wait for the school bus - and I cross there with my pooch. I actually think the cops are too lenient there, because I've seen people go by them pretty fast without getting any reaction from them. Yeah, I know - everyone else should go slow except for me and the people in front of me.

 

[MatthewB.]

Agreed and glad to see things are improving out there. What was funny was one night after leaving my GF's house at 3am (when I was 17) I was coming home and saw a Motorcycle (Goldwing) bite it after hitting a dog, so I stopped in the middle of the road to block the two lanes and put on my high beams (no lights at that area and didn't want cars to drive over em) and administered first aid to the couple on the bike. (his broken leg bone had punched right through his skin and his girl was choking on her helmet. So after I tended to them, I ran to that 7-11 on Oracle Rd and called police. The cops come and after everything settled down and I'm getting ready to leave, a cop comes up to me and says, "You saved their lives, I hope you know that" and my response, "Yeah maybe you'll remember that the next time you guys give me a bullshyt ticket for going 27 in a 25 zone. "

I should also mention that it was Oro Valley cops who tried to give me a DUI for walking home after a party. I drove to the party, but decided to walk home. A cop pulls up and tries to give me a sobriety test (three blocks away from my car mind you) and I ask him why and he says cause I'm gonna give you a DUI. I call my father (who was a big wig working for the state, who came down and gave that cop royal he!! and the cops supervisor was called down and the cop after getting chewed out by his super had to apologize to me and man did he look pissed having to do that. Of course if it had gone to court in Oro Valley at the time, I'm sure I would have been convicted of DUI (for being responsible and walking home)

 

[Adam]

That's very cool that you were able to help those two out like that. Did you ever speak to them after that night?

 

[MatthewB.]

Never got their last names and to this day have no idea who they were. That incident did help fuel my decision to study medicine and I have worked in the healthcare field for the past 20 years.

 

[penpitt]

I lived in Tucson from 74-90. Graduated from Sabino High.I too remember driving through Oro Valley on the way to the White Mountains for skiing in the winter and camping/fishing in the summer. It's the only place I always obeyed the speed limit.

 

[MatthewB.]

penpitt, I see by your "Location" that you also live in Chandler-Me too) glad to see somebody else escape the boredom of Tucson -apologies to Adam and the rest who still live there.

 

[markw]

I hear ya about speed traps, but how many lead to shootings in court?

 

[Adam]

...the boredom of Tucson -apologies to Adam...

No apology necessary! Tucson is an enormous step up in excitement from my hometown.

 

[jwenthold99]

I live in Oro Valley. It's a lot bigger now than in the 80s, like you mentioned. Heck, it's a lot bigger than when I moved here in 2000 (I liked it smaller, but things change). I've heard all the stories about the police up here, but it seems that times have changed. They're still out waiting to hand out tickets, but I've seen people go by them at easily 5 mph over the limit without getting pulled over. I don't push it when I see them, though.

My brother just moved there. I was actually there in June helping him move in!

 

[MatthewB.]

June is not the month to be moving in AZ.