I was eating lunch at a park in California. A small town, not too noisy. The park I was eating at was quiet, nothing but the birds chirping and the sprinklers watering. I was taking a bite out of my sandwich when a friend walks over and kicks the sandwich out of my hands. Keep in mind, this was not just any friend, this was one of my best friends. Raphael and I are both experienced martial artists so needless to say I felt like I was playing street fighter in real life. He had kicked the sandwich out of my hands with a hard roundhouse, almost kicking my face off. I had owed him 100 dollars from the night before and I still had yet to pay him back. I actually had the 100 dollars in my wallet at that moment and I was planning to pay him back when I saw him. Regardless I was eating and I was pissed off, so I squared up. He followed suit.I had gotten into a classic orthodox stance while his hands were at abdomen level. I threw three quick consecutive punches in a row only to miss and be punished with a crippling low kick to my inner thigh. We were both traditionally trained as kick boxers. The only difference between him and I, was that I liked to punch, he liked to keep his distance using kicks.I throw a punch with my left hand and throw a low kick with my right leg, expecting him to block my blows I sidestep and slam a knee into his stomach but to no avail, he blocks with a cross guard and retaliates with a left sidekick, slamming it into my thoracic cavity. Clutching my chest I initiate a conversation.u201cWe could have done this at the gym you bastard. You did not have to kick the damn sandwich.u201d I spat.u201cYou are pissed over food? Ill just buy you some chicken after practice?u201d Raphael states with a grin.u201cRest in peace bud.u201d I say sarcastically reaching my hands to the smashed sandwich. My friend laughs and helps me up. Patting me on the back.u201cWell since we are out here, want to train for a bit?u201d Raphael said.Forgiving him I nod in agreement. We continue to spar a little bit, this time a lot less fierce, a lot less aggressive. But I still try to steal blows in whenever I got the chance. To many fighters, Going 50% still looks like 100% to the common person. Only fighters usually know the difference.Suddenly a sheriff's deputy walks over. We immediately freeze into place. We both glance and look each other in the eye. Running was not an option, fighting was not an option, so what the hell was the other option?He stops into place. His seaweed green eyes scan us with a cold stare. He looks at us up and down. The silence only bolstered his already impressive features. When he spoke I could feel my heart stop just a little .u201cI saw you both fighting.u201d he states with narrowed eyes.Shit. I thought. How the hell was I going to get away with battery? Hell what if it was assault?! A thousand things go in and my head and my friend and I exchange worried looks. Knowing we were scared, he breaks a smirk.u201cYou guys are pretty good, yu2019a fighters?u201d The deputy states nodding. I look at him in surprise. Was this some form of police interrogation technique? I stay silent knowing that he can either arrest me or leave me be.u201cGuys I am not going to arrest you. I just noticed two young adults exchanging blows. I realize you guys must have been sparring or messing around because you went hard the first minute, and then you went light on each other.u201d the deputy smiled.At this point, I could only stand in silence, stunned. It was my friend who broke the ice.u201cYeah, yeah, we do fight. We actually compete, amateur though. We are not good enough to be professionals yet.u201d My friend smiled.u201cHah. I can see that. Your sidekick needs to be more explosive, more stiff. And Mr. Strong Silent Type over here, his left hook needs work. Some newbie could see that a mile away.u201d The deputy laughed and smiled, pointing at me. After hearing that I could only shoot back at him asking if he even fought.Later on we eventually have a long conversation with him. He actually competed regularly in SoCal's battle of the badges. It is where Ems, Armed forces, police officers, fire fighters, etc, duke it out for charity. The money they raise actually get donated to miscellaneous childrenu2019s hospitals. Many fighters in the area knew what the event was so Raphael and I looked at him wide eyed asking what it was like to fight professionally. He actually gave us some tips for a good 5 minutes and told us he had to leave. He told me if we were caught fighting in public by another officer we would probably be charged with, u201cDisturbing the peace.u201d With a smile and a fist bump to both of us, he left without giving us an arrest, ticket, or warning.A year later I got to go to a Battle of the Badges match and see him fight. I eventually got his number and got to go where he trains.Presently I have been training with him for a good 2 years. Still have not beat him in a fight to this day.Talk to some of your local law enforcement and be respectful. They are people just trying to do their jobs and get through the day too. You may never know which officer shares common interests or lifestyles with you!