As a detective with the state police, Rudy is assigned to this county to work with local law enforcement. Everybody knows Rudy. He’s been a cop for more than 20 years, but has the reputation of being somewhat of a loose cannon. To his credit, Rudy has a strong sense of duty.

When Miz Reba dies suddenly at the age of 91, the entire county goes into mourning. She is the local matriarch. On the day of her funeral, the church is overflowing. The governor and his entourage are here for the service.

Rudy, as an officer with the state police, feels it’s his duty to attend services for Miz Reba. He arrives at the church wearing his finest threads. Out of respect for the departed, Rudy places his duty weapon, a .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol, in the trunk of his state car.

About an hour later, six pallbearers are coming down the front steps of the church. The hearse is parked near the entrance. As it happens, Rudy’s car is parked in the same driveway directly across from the hearse.

Rudy opens the trunk to retrieve his weapon. As he prepares to holster the gun, it goes off. WHAM! The bullet misses Rudy’s hip by a fraction of an inch. An instant later the left rear tire of the hearse goes “whoosh” and settles down flat.

A hush comes over the crowd. Folks are stunned. The governor’s people go into high alert, surrounding the state’s chief executive to protect him from possible assassins.

Rudy acts quickly to recover the moment. With arms held high and wagging the gun in his right hand, the embarrassed lawman proclaims for all to hear: "It’s okay, folks-you can relax now-that was just me."