POLICEMAN
TICKETS HIMSELF

Topics: Accountability; Character; Conscience; Conviction of Sin; Honesty; Integrity; Truth

References: Psalm 32:5; Proverbs 28:13; Romans 14:12; Ephesians 4:25; James 4:17; 1 Peter 5:6

Police chief Richard Knoebel of Kewaskum, Wisconsin, accidentally drove past a stopped school bus with its emergency lights flashing. So Knoebel wrote himself a $235 ticket, docked himself four points on his driving record, and paid the fine.

Most people wouldn’t have known about the officer’s deed, but months after the ticket, a newspaper reporter discovered the record of Knoebel’s ticket and fine.

While on patrol, Knoebel said he had become distracted by a stopped dump truck. Worried that a car quickly approaching the truck might collide with it, he moved to the next lane to pass the truck and give the oncoming car more room to stop. That’s when he realized he was passing a stopped school bus in the far lane.

That didn’t excuse breaking the law, however. The honest officer held himself accountable, even when most people weren’t looking.

—Associated Press, “Wisconsin Police Chief Tickets Himself $235,” MSNBC.com (February 3, 2007)