The Ending ***Plot Spoiler*** Was it a Tie In to Real Life

I was born in Phoenix, Arizona and grew up on the outskirts, a part of unincorporated, un-zoned Maricopa County that is now part of the city. In December of 1970 we suffered what was called the first ever deliberate assassination of a police officer in Phoenix history. Motorcycle Albert R. Bluhm pulled over a stolen pickup truck with a camper shell. I think he stopped the pickup on north Cave Creek Road between Dunlop and Valley View, but that was many years ago and I wouldn't bet money on that. Anyway, as soon as the pickup stopped, according to the story in the Arizona Republic, the door of the camper shell was kicked open and the occupant emptied a .22 caliber carbine at Officer Bluhm. The motor officer was hit three times and died of his wounds while trying to radio his location to dispatch.

I have watched this movie several times and watch it every chance I get. I should buy it and save myself some time reacting to playlists on the cable. I still wonder if there is any tie in between this movie or its source material (I think it was based on a novel) and the killing in 1970. The ending of the movie is made as much more of a random event. I also don't remember the killers in 1970 being "hippies."

Because of where I grew up I have always had a bias in favor of certain movies, especially anything shot in my state.