Shooting at the courthouse

[patric]

So you would have rather they had done nothing?

That's not a very rational conclusion, don't you think?

[Conan71]

That's not a very rational conclusion, don't you think?

So what's your beef with honoring some deputies who put themselves in harm's way then?

[guido911]

So what's your beef with honoring some deputies who put themselves in harm's way then?

Are you kidding? Did you see who posted that crap? Sorry patric, but your one trick pony is beaten to death.

[patric]

Even TPD went on record with a finding of friendly fire, yet you just had to get a personal attack in.   

[Gaspar]

Even TPD went on record with a finding of friendly fire, yet you just had to get a personal attack in.  

Smile happens.  This nut bag could have killed a bunch of people.  Several officers not typically involved in such action, reacted, and because of their training, were able to contain a situation that could have been far far worse.  I understand that your purpose in life is to villainize public safety officials.  I don't know what happened to you to make you so angry at those who devote their lives to protecting our rights, and I really don't care.

I know several cops, marshals, and a few federal agents.  All of them went into the profession (service) because they believe in protecting the rights of the individual against illegal force.  They want to stand against people who do bad things.  No one is perfect and there are imperfect law enforcement officers, but the vast majority are wonderful hard working people that put themselves at great risk to enforce the laws that keep us safe.  They are held accountable and scrutinized for every move they make.  In many cases they risk incredible penalties for doing the right thing the wrong way.  

My friend Mark puts him self in danger every day, his wife prays that he will come home to her and their two boys every night.  He's been stabbed, cut, had bones broken and been beat to a pulp by bad people who do bad things.  He's not paid much, but he still puts on the uniform and goes to work every day.  He does it because he understands what his purpose is every time he looks at his kids, and my kids, and your kids.

Take just a moment to look around your office or home.  Look at the simple locks on your doors and thin panes of glass.  You don't have bars on your windows, or 10ft iron gates around your yard.  This is because a few people are willing to strap on a gun and badge and march into danger, protecting an environment that you can appreciate.  This is because they create an environment that offers significant risk to those who would do you harm or violate your rights.  In some cases they are beat up, cut, burned, shot, stabbed, and killed.  Most have loved ones that feel that pain in their hearts every time the phone rings, and say a little prayer before answering it.

I've been to countries where law enforcement is either powerless or criminal puppets.

Your children don't look out at the world from iron gates.


This will be the last time I ever react to one of your foolish, self-serving posts.  I invite others to do the same.

[patric]

This is too relevant to just slip through the cracks...  On the very day the Sheriff's Department was giving itself medals for the courthouse shooting, this was happening:



Suicidal Gunman Surrenders Near Sand Springs Walmart

SAND SPRINGS, Oklahoma - An armed gunman threatening to take his own life held police at bay for nearly two hours Thursday near the Sand Springs Walmart.

Authorities responded near the old Gerdau Ameristeel and Walmart, located at 220 S. Oklahoma Highway 97, where a gunman was on the loose southwest of the department store, scanner traffic indicated.

The man dropped his weapon, was surrounded by police and taken into custody at 6:16 p.m.

The man had earlier fired his gun into the air twice, but police said they're not treating this as a criminal act, and the man didn't mean to target anyone else.

Sand Springs Assistant Police Chief Mike Carter said the Walmart was able to remain open during the standoff, although part of its parking lot was cleared for the safety of the public.

The 27-year-old man, whom Carter described as suicidal, was in an industrial area as negotiators talked with him, Carter said. At least 25 officers from Sand Springs, Sapulpa and Tulsa responded, he said.

Carter said the recently formed South West Area Tactical Team of Sand Springs and Sapulpa officers was among those responding.

"We intend in this moment to treat this as a mental health incident and taking the subject in for emergency detention,"  Carter said.  The man's name was not released.



It seems almost a mirror image of the courthouse affair, except for the bloodless outcome.
If anyone deserves medals, it should be Sand Springs PD.

We should learn something from this,
and give credit where credit is due.

[guido911]

Why do I sense that you know who has a tub of astoglide in his living room and watches and rewatches this movie scene?