After becoming Thane of Whiterun, I decided to execute Heimskr in front of the Talos Shrine. When the guards came to arrest me, I said "I'm the Thane of Whiterun! Unhanded me!". The guard apologized, and let me go. Whiterun is much more peaceful now.

A foolish Bandit started a fight near a cliff shortly after leaving Ivarstead(I just learned all 3 Words of Power for Unrelenting Force). You can guess what happened next..