Two guys in an SUV come through a "yield" sign and cut us off. We slam on the brakes to avoid collision. Adrian is driving and I’m in the passenger seat. Our car is a Crown Victoria. Did I mention that we’re in an unmarked patrol car assigned to us by the sheriff?

Getting cut off is no big deal, but when both guys in the offending car shoot us a "bird," well, that gives the incident new meaning. Activating the blue light and a short burst of the siren brings the desired result.

Can’t you just hear what these two guys must be saying? Shooting a "bird" at a couple of cops is not the behavior of a road-wise driver.

I step out of the patrol car, walk up to the driver’s window and identify myself. The driver's lips are the color of cotton. His voice has a pronounced quiver. The passenger may have swallowed his tongue. My demeanor is not what these two rocket scientists expect.

Never mentioning the "up yours" signal, I say to the driver, "Sir, I saw you execute the symbol requesting law enforcement service. How may I serve you?"

"I didn’t mean that, officer, I was just kidding," the guy answers nervously.

"Relax, sir, you’re quite safe. You have the complete resources of the sheriff at your disposal. Are you being held hostage by this man?"

The driver responds: "No sir, he's my best buddy; we're just out riding around."

We talk for a while as I continue to reassure the guy we are ready to serve and protect him if he's in any danger. He insists that "everything’s okay."

My parting comment: "If you ever need police service, sir, you know the sign to use." It takes the guy a couple of minutes to collect his wits before he pulls away.

Adrian and I figure this is probably the last time these guys ever shoot a "bird" out in public - especially if the target is two guys in a Crown Vic with black sidewall tires.