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Missouri man who says he was unjustly roughed up by police officer challenges him to fight

BRYNES MILL, Missouri - A Missouri man is protesting his arrest in a very unusual way. He says he was roughed up by a police officer in Byrnes Mill, south of Saint Louis.

But instead of filing a complaint, the man is challenging the officer to a fight.

Rich Stephens has painted a sign on his pickup truck that reads “What’s short, fat and round all over? A Brynes Mill cop.”

Stephens says everywhere he goes, people honk their horns and give them a thumbs up.

“It’s been overwhelming,” Stephens says.

But that’s not the only thing he did. He also took out a full page ad in a Jefferson County newspaper claiming Byrnes Mill police officer Tim Walker kicked him and shoved him into a police car for no reason.

The ad challenges walker to a mixed martial fight. He'd even sell tickets.

But his idea of a joke - is no laughing matter to the Byrnes Mill Police Department.

"my opinion is it's borderline harassment and making a threat against a law enforcement officer,” said police chief Ed Locke.

Stephens says he wouldn’t pocket any of the money and would donate it all to charity. “I don't want a nickel, I just want his head on my hand is what I want."

Stephens decided not to file a formal complaint saying he expects more results this way. The police chief says formal complaints are investigated and feels poking fun of the police goes too far.

"If every officer that pulled someone over and they weren't happy if they were challenged to a fighting match,” Locke said, “Certainly those officers would all be suspended or lose their job."

Stephens has yet to hear from Officer Walker, but says he hopes he will accept the invitation.

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I hope the ensuing video ends up on YouTube.  Apparently this guy is an ex-Oakland Raider.

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"my opinion is it's borderline harassment and making a threat against a law enforcement officer,” said police chief Ed Locke.

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What an ass.


I think it funny. I mean not that the officer roughed him up but the way he went about dealing with it.

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Rich Stephens has painted a sign on his pickup truck that reads “What’s short, fat and round all over? A Brynes Mill cop.”

Stephens says everywhere he goes, people honk their horns and give them a thumbs up.

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