To the Editor:

I was running radar at the school just south of 87th and Antioch. I was a young officer, just starting my career in Overland Park in 1972. I had written several tickets for speeding and received a lot of negative reviews from speeders. I then stopped another car for speeding. Unlike the previous drivers, this man was apologetic and said he would be moving with his family to Johnson County and was sorry he was speeding.

Sometimes, not often, when you write someone a ticket you feel bad when you give it to them. This was one of those times. I handed Mr. Hayward Spears his ticket and his license back, and again he apologized and felt bad because he was speeding in a school zone.

Life lessons can happen anytime. I will never forget how nice and mature Mr. Spears was, even though I am sure he did not enjoy getting a ticket and paying a fine. Over the years, when his name would come up, I told people this story. I have eaten his BBQ many times since then, but seldom see him anymore.

I am glad he has been a successful businessman, but what your article does not cover is what a quality person he is. In times of stress, you can tell a lot about a person.

—Jerry Wolfskill, Overland Park