OREM — Traffic duty for an Orem police officer turned into an epic battle reminiscent of "Star Wars" after an apparent passerby mistook his traffic-control device for a Sith sword.
Of course, that didn't actually occur in a literal sense. But a post to the Orem Police Department Facebook page depicting the lighter side of law enforcement shows a mock battle between an officer wielding a traffic wand and a man with a lightsaber, the weapon from the fictional "Star Wars" universe.
"When a local Jedi mistakes officer Palmer's traffic control wand for a Sith blade and proceeds to dismantle him ...," reads the caption for the post.
Police didn't immediately return a call seeking additional comment, but the video — in slow motion with Star Wars-like sound effects — generated plenty of positive comments from the public. It had garnered nearly 150,000 views as of Friday afternoon, a day after it was posted.
"I love this!!! Police are human too and just like us, sometimes have fun on the job!!" wrote one poster.
The man with the lightsaber prevails over the traffic officer, decked out in a bright yellow vest, which prompted comment from some. "The officer Palmer I know wouldn't go down so easily! Must be a replacement Palmer!" reads another post.
Traffic wands are long, lit-up batons, like some of the weaponry in the "Star Wars" series. But they are used to help manage auto flow, not slay foes.
"Our LED-powered traffic batons emit ultra-bright light with both flashing and steady modes, making them perfect for night use and even daytime visibility. They are ideal for traffic management, construction sites and airports," reads an explanation on TrafficeSafetyStore.com, which sells such devices.
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