He struck again.
I was just about to pull out of my neighborhood when I saw the dark unmarked “Commander” zooming down the road in my direction from the left hand side. I had one of those split second conversations in my head, trying to determine whether or not I should pull out in front, or if I should just let him go first.
My car jerked to a stop as I waited patiently for the officer to drive by. Although I couldn’t be sure, I was fairly certain it was my “good friend” MD State Trooper, officer Sasse.
I turned my head to the side, hoping he wouldn’t recognize my face in a new car. I had just bought a new (black) sports car two months prior, and was hoping to go unnoticed by him for as long as possible.
I nearly turned right after he passed, but at the last second, decided to turn left and take a loop around the neighborhood before making my way to work. The last time I pulled in behind him from this very spot, he decided to pull me over for an illegal window tint (which was actually the legal Maryland limit of 35%).
The truth is this time, I hadn’t affixed the front tag onto the bumper yet, and I didn’t want to give this guy any reason to pull me over.
I bought myself about five minutes as I looped around the neighborhood. When I got onto 144, the “Commander” was no where to be seen. Traffic was unusually dense though.
I was on the phone with my buddy Curt, talking him through the events that just occurred. Then, as I came down the hill over the ridge, I saw him parked in the Park & Ride. He was out of his car, placing what looked to be tickets on cars that were for sale in the lot.
Oh my gosh! There he is!
I exclaimed to Curt as I desribed was Officer Sasse was doing.
It was at that moment that Officer Sasse looked up in my direction. It was as if he heard me from within my car, about 100 yards away.
Could he have seen me? Did he recognize me? I reasoned with myself that it was not likely, especially since I was driving a new car. Besides, he couldn’t possibly have recognized me from that far away. I was just being paranoid.
Traffic was a crawl, and by the time I got closer to the light, it had turned red.
I’m not sure what compelled me to turn my head to the right at that moment, but when I did, I noticed the front of an unmarked car that was lurking behind some trees that divided the road I was on with the Park & Ride.
What the crap! Is that him? How in the world could that be him? I just saw him out of his car 30 seconds ago!
Curt was just listening to my rants as I communicated my observations. I slowly turned my head back to the traffic in front of me, hoping not to draw attention to myself.
Moments later, the “Commander” pulled out from behind the trees and zoomed ahead in the right hand lane that would ordinarily spit him out onto I-70 going eastbound.
I’m either being paranoid, and he didn’t see me, or he’s just zoomed by getting ready to pull me over up ahead.
The traffic light seemed longer than usual. From what I could tell, the light had turned green, but the cars in front of me weren’t moving. Break lights started flickering, and the cars in front began to crawl. As I inched forward, I realized why.
Officer Sasse had parked his car and gotten out of his vehicle to start waving cars, one-by-one, through the traffic light. When he got to my car, he pointed at me with his accusing finger and waved me to pull over behind his car.
Well, you’re not going to believe this Curt, but he just pulled me over.
Good morning officer. How are you doing?
I said with as pleasant a voice as I could muster up.
I’m working.
I muzzled an “I can see that” under my breath as I reached for my license and registration.
“I noticed you didn’t have your front tags” he said in his smug tone.
“I’m really sorry about that officer” I said. “I just bought this car recently and the previous owner didn’t have the front tag affixed. I’ve been meaning to install it, but admittedly, it just hasn’t been much of a priority for me. I’m really sorry about that. It’s actually in the trunk, and if you have a screwdriver, I would be happy to put it on for you right now if you’d like”
“Can you show me that it’s in your trunk” he asked. No doubt he was hoping to catch me in a lie.
“Absolutely. Let me show you.” With that, I got out of my car, popped my trunk, and pulled out the bracket with plate.
“Hold on.” Officer Sasse took my bracket, license and registration with him to his car and started his routine. I called the Benz to alert her of my misfortune and asked for prayer.
Officer Sasse came back with a fine of $60. “MVL #13-411 (a) “Fail to Attach Plates at Front & Rear”.
I let him run through his spiel about the ticket and fine and right to go to court, and when he was finished, he asked if I had any questions.
Have you heard of Church of the Redeemer? You should check it out sometime.
Officer Sasse looked at me kind of funny (or at least with a little pause), and then he referred back to the ticket as if I had never said anything.
I’m being serious. I would love to have you come check out Church of the Redeemer with me sometime.
This time, he was more equipped for my comment.
We’re not talking about that.
I clearly wasn’t getting through. So I tried a different approach.
Sir, I just don’t understand why you have the need to pull me over repeatedly for stupid things. I don’t think it’s commonplace to pull the same person over on the same road multiple times within the span of a few months.
Eager to jump in say something important, officer Sasse responded with a,
Well actually, there’s this one guy who I’ve pulled over 5 or 6 times within that same time frame. I don’t know what his problem is. But anyway…
I was slightly caught off guard. I bit my lip as I refrained from muttering a “maybe his problem is YOU” comment.
The thing is (I continued), I don’t understand what you have against me. I know it’s not common to be pulled over for these types of things. But it’s clear that you have a thing for giving me a hard time.
I could tell he didn’t like where I was going with this.
I’m not giving you a hard time. I’ve seen a history of these registration violations, and that’s why I’m pulling you over. When you turned right out of your neighborhood, and when I looked in my rear view mirror, I noticed that you didn’t have a front tag. That’s why I pulled you over.
What a liar! Unbelievable. I wasn’t going to let him go that easy. In as calm a voice as I could muster, I said,
Sir, I never turned a right out of my neighborhood. I turned a left. So you couldn’t have seen me in your rear view mirror to notice that I didn’t have a license plate on the front. I realize that I screwed up this time with not having a front tag, but as I told you, I just bought this car and…
A play by play of the Officer Sasse's hunt
Officer Sasse cut in again,
Yeah. I noticed you had a new car when I drove by you. I saw you were on the phone, and I thought to myself, ‘looks like he got a new car’.
This was my chance to bring the point home.
You see. That’s the point. You weren’t concerned about my tag, you just wanted to give me a hard time. You recognized me in a new car, and you jumped at the opportunity to pull me over. But for what? I know you’re technically just doing your job, but I know you have more important things to be doing than pull me over all the time.
I’m being serious, you should really come check out my church sometime. Seriously.
As those words came out of my mouth, I could hear the tone. It wasn’t quite right. It wasn’t quite the message I was trying to convey.
I have a church that I go to” he said.
I jumped in. “That’s great! Where do you go?”
I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about this ticket. If you would like to contest this fine, you have a right to take me to court.
I was losing him. He was missing my point. Or maybe he was just trying to avoid it.
I got it” I said. Maybe I will take you to court, or maybe I won’t, and I’ll just pay the fine. But listen, the reason I keep bringing up my church is this. If you actually knew me…if you actually took the time to get to know me, you would find that I’m not the guy you think I am. I know that you see my criminal background, and you don’t like it. To be honest, I don’t like it either. But there’s nothing I can do about that right now. What I am doing is trying to make things right.
If you came to my church, I think you would have an opportunity to actually see me for who I really am. I’m pretty involved and I actually lead a small group of people my age in bible studies. That’s why I keep bringing it up. All I’m asking for is a little grace. There’s no need to keep fining me for little things. I’m sure you have a screwdriver in your car. I would be more than happy to put that tag on the bumper right now and get this over with.
With an emotionless, stoic expression he said, “You can take care of that once you get to work.”
He wasn’t budging. I was getting that ticket, and there was no question about it. “Listen. I meant what I said. I would strongly encourage you to come check out my church some time.”
With that, he walked away from my car and went his way.
It’s ironic. This past week I taught on Contentment, no matter where you are in life, and no matter what comes your way. Looks like I’m having to heed my own advice and sermon.
To be honest, I don’t think this guy is going to let up. Some people say that maybe he actually took pause that day to reconsider his actions. Call me a pessimist, but I don’t think it did much of anything. But I am starting to view this whole harassment-by-a-Maryland-State-Trooper-who-lives-in-my-neighborhood thing as a witnessing opportunity. Maybe he will never come to my church. Maybe he’ll never see me in the light that the people who know me see me. But maybe, over the course of a dozen fines and tickets, he’ll come to know Christ for the very first time in his life.
Thank you God for this opportunity (I’m not being facetious).
The Calm Before the Storm 
Dude thats a very interesting and thought provoking story. Thanks for sharing.
Man, there’s got to be a reason this guy keeps popping up in your life! This is great read and I love the visuals. I’ll definitely keep this in my prayers.
-Joe
I know, right!? God can turn even the bad things into good things…so that’s the promise that I’m holding onto every time he gives me a ticket.
I wonder if I can start writing off my tickets as a ministry expense? lol.
What an incredible morning you had Nate. I’d like to say that I’m sorry this keeps happening to you all the time. I know how easy it is to become angry and upset and this time, you used it as an opportunity to give glory to God. Even if, he continues to pull you over, you will always have that time to witness to him. One thing is, we don’t know what has happened in his life. Maybe a loved one had an experience that might have been similar to what you were arrested for…only the experience was much worse. We can’t really know why he targets you and we probably never will. But we do know that today a seed was planted. We don’t know what he thought about after he left you, but you know he’ll think about it each time he sees your car. Each time he considers pulling you over again. He’ll remember the last conversation he had with you.
It’s wonderful that we can use every situation as a way to be a light in the world. Thanks for that reminder this morning!
Those are some excellent points. We don’t know why he’s reacting the way he is, and it could be something very painful like the scenario you suggested. I guess all we can do is draw our strength from God and be responsible (and Christ-like) in our responses.
Thanks for your encouragement Christine!
I’ve been replaying this story in my head, I had a question. This question is not a reflection of what I think of your character Nate. I know from my own experience that my motives as well as, well, probably everyone’s are masked to themselves at times. You said you are viewing this as a ministry opportunity. Why do you want him to check out Redeemer? The emphasis really seems to be on getting him to know you, not Christ, and to stop harassing you.
Side note: I have experienced the Holy Spirit at work in matters like this (seeing through the facade of false Christianity), and I don’t know if that is the case here, but if so, I like how you mentioned him going to church but also mention a need for him to know Jesus.
love ya bro
Carl
The reason I want him to check out Church of the Redeemer is because God’s presence (Holy Spirit) is definitely there. I’ve heard this from numerous people (strangers and newcomers as well as those who attend), and I want officer Sasse to experience the God that I know.
I’m not underestimating God’s ability to use me in these routine car registration stops, but it’s not likely that he will listen to the words that come out of my mouth. Sometimes we won’t receive what God has to say to us because it’s coming from a particular source. I’m not a source that he wants to hear from, so I wanted to impress upon him another source that he might lend more credibility.
Since I know that there are people that are filled with the Spirit at COR, I wanted him to be exposed to that. I KNOW that if he comes to COR, he will encounter Christ in a way that I can’t communicate. I also know, that as a fringe benefit, by way of coming into the presence of God, he will perceive me differently…but that’s not my motivation. My motivation is first, and foremost, to know God on a personal level. He goes to church (apparently), and he knows who God is, but based on evidence that I’ve seen, he doesn’t know Jesus on a personal level. So what better way to have him know Christ than through other people who do?
hey nate:
thanks for sharing this; it was very encouraging, suspenseful with the zoomed in marked maps and play-by-play details leading up to the outcome!
thanks for sharing your response and attitude in faith in the God who is actually there even in the repeated frustrating circumstances and when the morning seems like murphys law.
He seems to have a GPS for you.
Dude if I were you I’d strip the tint and put the plate up. It’s obvious this guy’s targeting you. I see it all the time by my co workers. They don’t realize that you are a changed person. All they see is the ‘hit’. I wouldn’t give them any reason what so ever to stop me. Even though not having a plate is really petty , it still gives them a reason to pull you over which is what you don’t want.
yeah. I actually did have the tint stripped immediately the last time. I have a new car now, but I’m not even going to get a tint job this time. As for the plate, I had been meaning to do it the moment I got the car, but I kept forgetting to get a screwdriver. It’s done now though.
Thanks though, for the advice. I’m with you completely. Don’t give them any room to pull me over.
Hey Nathan,
What a great story. Even though you feel and are probably in reality being harassed by someone that feels superior to you, I am sure that you are a much more educated person than he and that shows in the way you present yourself. I would feel just as frustrated as you and to keep myself from exploding with my own frustrations I would try to use the opportunity to show my faith. It doesn’t always manifest itself immediately but it does plant a seed. As a previous writer, Christine, says, he will remember that conversation everytime he sees your car. What a Witness!
I am so proud of you being my son in this world.
Dad,
Thank you so much for your love and support. Despite my major fall in life, you have always supported and believed in me – that’s grace, and you have a natural, God-given gift to forgive and extend grace. I’ve seen that play out numerous times through my lifetime, and I’m so thankful for you in my life. As always, thank you for your comments, for your attention, and for your love.
You made me lol with your maps in your blog. Very funny. I really admire and am proud of your new perspective. How are you doing? So last night I led Bible study…WHAT? I know. Praise God, he saw me through it. He is good. It was a good thing for me to do it. It made me stop and focus on God a little more that I have been. I am excited about it and about God, but I feel the struggle of the white dog and black dog (Steve’s talk). I hope you are well.
Didn’t know you had a blog Nate, your a good writer…Few questions for you relating to this article?! First things first, obey the law…the best Jesus we can show and share with people is us and our ability to be excellent in all we do! Humility with any Law Enforment Officer speaks Volumes, knowing this first hand! I Understand the whole plate n screwdriver thing but cmon, maybe 2 minutes..max..lol! You mentioned in your blog and admitted that you knew you were breaking the law …”the previous owner didn’t have the front tag affixed. I’ve been meaning to install it, but admittedly, it just hasn’t been much of a priority for me” Stop there!, take your ticket, smile and have a nice day. Here my heart Nate, maybe you are being targeted for a reason but don’t make this trooper look bad, he’s doing his job! “These stupid violations” or registration violations are so key in keeping the public safe regardless of your past or if your a “hit” in the old five-0 computer…We’ve caught so many Really Bad Bad people off “these stupid” violations! In a way I echo Carl, why would do you want him to go to Redeemer to see “who you really are, and what kind of leader you are” or to meet Jesus??? When people are a “hit” in the computer there is minimal information available pertaining to your character…our chance to show and display our character is when the officer first approaches our window until they leave….He mentioned he went to church, maybe he knows Jesus in a personal way and maybe he is in a God fearing church and maybe they expierence the Holy Spirit there?? You said maybe he’ll come to know Christ, how do you know he doesn’t? Was it the ticket? The Attitude? I know I’ve given some tickets and had some pretty bad attitudes and been pretty judgemental but man I still love Jesus and He still loves me, and these things didn’t compromise my salvation?! Man I agree with you to use every opportunity we have for His glory and to show Jesus in all we do but it’s not about us, being a leader or what church we go to…submission, humility, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self control…that’s what it’s about!! Your a changed man and Jesus will shine through you regardless of a group you lead or what church you go to! Appreciate your writing!
It’s been a while since we’ve had a coffee talk. We should do that again soon. Good to hear from you, and thank you for your perspective. My heart was not to bash the police force, so I apologize if that was not communicated. There’s a guy in my lifegroup who is destined to be an excellent officer, and he knows that I respect and admire those who protect and serve us in this capacity. That includes you my friend. Thank you for all your service.
Now that you’re aware of my blog, I’ll keep you informed. Hope you are doing well!
nate,
that was the funniest, heart-pounding,greatest read ive read. God bless you bro with what your doing there. keep running the race 🙂
Darren,
Thanks for reading bro! I’m glad that it wasn’t too long of a read for you. I’m not a very short winded person, so it means a lot to me that you were able to hang in till the end.
Wow Nate!!! What a story!! I give u such credit for being so patient, calm, & trusting in the Lord during this incident to say the right things. U def planted a seed!!! Thank u for sharing! Talk SOON!! 😉