TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) -
A Tucson man's emotional Facebook post about his run-in with law enforcement has gone viral.
The early-morning traffic stop didn't end with an arrest, citation or worse, as has been the case in some recent highly publicized incidents around the country. Instead it ended with verbal warning and one man's renewed appreciation for those who wear the badge.
Steven Hildreth Jr., an African American, said he was driving with a headlight out and was armed when he was pulled over by a Tucson police officer.
Hildreth's post, made at 3:41 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27 had over 94,000 likes, 57,000 shares and 6,800 comments by noon the next day.
"So, I'm driving to my office to turn in my weekly paperwork," Hildreth said in the post. "A headlight is out. I see a Tucson Police Department squad vehicle turn around and follow me. I'm already preparing for the stop."
Hildreth wrote that he's a concealed carry permit holder and said he told officers about his weapon during the stop.
"I'm a black man wearing a hoodie and strapped," Hildreth wrote. "According to certain social movements, I shouldn't be alive right now because the police are allegedly out to kill minorities.
"Maybe, just maybe, that notion is bunk. Maybe if you treat police officers with respect, they will do the same to you."
Tucson News Now reached out to Hildreth about his post. He said he is trying to track down the name of the officers from the stop but so far he has come up empty. We have also contacted the TPD and are waiting to hear back.
Hildreth's full post is below.
So, I'm driving to my office to turn in my weekly paperwork. A headlight is out. I see a Tucson Police Department squad vehicle turn around and follow me. I'm already preparing for the stop.
The lights go on and I pull over. The officer asks me how I'm doing, and then asks if I have any weapons.
"Yes, sir. I'm a concealed carry permit holder and my weapon is located on my right hip. My wallet is in my back-right pocket."
The officer explains for his safety and mine, he needs to disarm me for the stop. I understand, and I unlock the vehicle. I explain that I'm running a 7TS ALS holster but from the angle, the second officer can't unholster it. Lead officer asks me to step out, and I do so slowly.
Officer relieves me of my Glock and compliments the X300U I'm running on it. He also sees my military ID and I tell him I'm with the National Guard.
Lead officer points out my registration card is out of date but he knows my registration is up to date. He goes back to run my license. I know he's got me on at least two infractions. I'm thinking of how to pay them.
Officers return with my Glock in an evidence back, locked and cleared.
"Because you were cool with us and didn't give us grief, I'm just going to leave it at a verbal warning. Get that headlight fixed as soon as possible."
I smile. "Thank you, sir."
I'm a black man wearing a hoodie and strapped. According to certain social movements, I shouldn't be alive right now because the police are allegedly out to kill minorities.
Maybe...just maybe...that notion is bunk.
Maybe if you treat police officers with respect, they will do the same to you.
Police officers are people, too. By far and large, most are good people and they're not out to get you.
I'd like to thank those two officers and TPD in general for another professional contact.
We talk so much about the bad apples who shouldn't be wearing a badge. I'd like to spread the word about an example of men who earned their badges and exemplify what that badge stands for.
?#BlueLivesMatter? ?#AllLivesMatter?
[EDIT: In my rush to post, I accidentally omitted that my wallet was in the back-right pocket, near my firearm. This was the primary motivation for temporary disarmament. The post has been modified to reflect that.
Again, I'd like to thank the TPD and their officers for their consistent professionalism, courtesy, and the good work that they do, both in this particular contact and every day.
Copyright 2015 Tucson News Now. All rights reserved.
Read more:
Tucson man's Facebook post about traffic stop goes viral
. We gotta get these fake nikkas out the bloodline. Send him to Australia where they'll show him what they think about God's blessed people of African descent
Now can I please have a talk show on Fox News?"
