Sometimes I complain about living in a small town.

My mother tells me I do it all too often.

Well, I was happy late last week to be in a small town.

My car’s instrument panel still showed there was gas in my tank, but apparently it lied to me.

I was driving down Main Street when I realized I had an issue and pulled into a large parking lot. My car started again and I was headed toward a gas station. But once again my car stalled as I was ready to enter Main Street from a side road.

Someone saw my plight and offered to help me push the car back into the parking lot where my car first stalled. I found out an interesting feature about my car. When the engine shuts down you can’t put the transmission into neutral.

A call to the Shelbyville Police Department was next as the front of my car was partially on Main Street. Officer Andrew LeRoy was first on the scene. Another police officer, Michael Taylor, was next to arrive.

Taylor studied the situation with my car and went so far to call up a video on his phone dealing with the model of my car.

Finally, we all decided I was out of gas. Officer Taylor volunteered to go and get me a can of gas to help me move out of the road. It turned out that was all the car needed.

After apologizing multiple times for my predicament to everyone helping me, I was able to continue my journey.

I felt like an idiot and some people may think this is proof of what they have always thought of me. Officer Taylor simply responded “this can happen to anybody” and told me to have a good rest of the day.

Our law enforcement officials take more than their share of criticism from the general public. I have always had great respect for members of the police and sheriff’s departments as well as EMS. It was really brought home to me in high

school when I sometimes worked the police beat for “Bo” Melson at the Times-Gazette.

Everyone who helped me was patient and concerned. That is part of being in a small town. We help each other out.

I thank all of our law enforcement, EMS, first responders and fire department for their service to our city and county. They deserve our respect.

And in my case they deserve my gratitude. Thanks for being there when I needed you.