Stillwater mayor held at gunpoint ... by Bayport cops

By Joe Kimball | Published Thu, Mar 26 2009 9:42 am

Stillwater Mayor Ken Harycki apparently ignored police commands during a traffic stop last week, and was forced to his knees at gunpoint by two Bayport police officers.

The mayor was allegedly speeding on Hwy. 95 at 11:42 p.m. March 18, says the Stillwater Gazette.

The mayor told the cops he was speeding because he was on his way to see his ailing father. The police report says a marked police car made the stop, but the incident happened when the mayor exited the vehicle without shutting the door and started walking toward the two uniformed officers' squad car.

According to the newspaper:

"The officers gave Harycki 'loud verbal commands' to get back in his vehicle, but he did not listen, according to the report. While walking toward the officers, Harycki reached into his jacket, prompting the officers to draw their guns on the mayor.

"'Fearing that he was reaching for a weapon, I drew my duty weapon and pointed it at him," wrote officer Jay Jackson in the incident report.

"Police say Harycki removed his hands from his jacket, but still did not follow their instructions and proceeded to approach the officers with his hands on his head," the newspaper said.

"Harycki eventually listened and was then ordered to his knees at gunpoint and searched for weapons, but none were found. Police say Harycki told the officers he was the mayor of Stillwater and later apologized several times."

Despite the dramatics, no tickets were issued.

"There is really no story here," Harycki told the newspaper. "They didn't even issue me a ticket."

While walking toward the officers, Harycki reached into his jacket

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