mrsemman
Regular Member
imported post
Twenty-seven years ago, while returning home from work at a MA suburban police department, I became involved in a desperate situation. About half way home, I was driving through the center of a sleeply small town. I then observed two police cruisers chasing an older model Lincoln, heading towards me. The Lincoln did a U-turn in front of me, forcing me right and off the roadway. Fortunately there were parking spaces and not a curbed sidewalk in the way. I stopped my car and instantly heard the Lincoln and one of the cruisers collide. I then observed one of the occupants of the Lincoln run diagonal from my left to right nearby. Still wearing my police uniform, I gave chase on foot. The suspect then tried to hurdle a post and rail fence, caught his foot and went down hard on the opposite side. As I climbed over the fence, I considered drawing my weapon, but figured that if I did so, and the suspect ran, then I would have to reholster rather than fear a misfire. I then approached the suspect with my hand on my revolver. The suspect turned towards me and had a 9mm pointing at me. At about ten feet, and backlighted, I did not feel that I had a chance of running for cover safely.
Needless to say, it was an intense situation. The bad guy held me as a shield as one of the town cops came towards us, then pointed his gun at the cop. I struggled with the bad guy, but the best I could do is to throw his aim off. After, what seemed hours, but was probably seconds, I offered the bad guy a way out. "You can escape" Isaid. This hit a chord with this guy, and after taking my revolver, he took off.
Later, after an intense manhunt and a hoax situation, we recaptured this guy. No shots were fired. No one injured, except my pride; and a hell of a lesson learned.
Many of you might say that you would have handled the situation differently. If presented with the same situation again, I know I would. However, knowing when to shoot or not, needs to be learned and practiced. Situations happen too quickly to think, only reaction will work.
In MA, pointing a loaded weapon at someone, especially, if that person is later found to be innocent, can be construed as assault with a dangerous weapon. If the weapon is discharged, it can lead to attempted murder. If the bullet strikes an innocent person, then it becomes attempted murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. If it kills an innocent person, then it becomes murder.
Knowing who is the bad guy and not, and the level of force to use on the bad guy is a tougher call, than most people can handle. Even the most trained law enforcement officers cannot make this call. Therefore, think well before you enter a situation. Have situation awareness. Be prepared mentally, and physically. That means, that if you believe that a weapon is necessary, then it better be out of the holster and ready to point and shoot when the time comes. Quick draws only work in the movies.
Twenty-seven years ago, while returning home from work at a MA suburban police department, I became involved in a desperate situation. About half way home, I was driving through the center of a sleeply small town. I then observed two police cruisers chasing an older model Lincoln, heading towards me. The Lincoln did a U-turn in front of me, forcing me right and off the roadway. Fortunately there were parking spaces and not a curbed sidewalk in the way. I stopped my car and instantly heard the Lincoln and one of the cruisers collide. I then observed one of the occupants of the Lincoln run diagonal from my left to right nearby. Still wearing my police uniform, I gave chase on foot. The suspect then tried to hurdle a post and rail fence, caught his foot and went down hard on the opposite side. As I climbed over the fence, I considered drawing my weapon, but figured that if I did so, and the suspect ran, then I would have to reholster rather than fear a misfire. I then approached the suspect with my hand on my revolver. The suspect turned towards me and had a 9mm pointing at me. At about ten feet, and backlighted, I did not feel that I had a chance of running for cover safely.
Needless to say, it was an intense situation. The bad guy held me as a shield as one of the town cops came towards us, then pointed his gun at the cop. I struggled with the bad guy, but the best I could do is to throw his aim off. After, what seemed hours, but was probably seconds, I offered the bad guy a way out. "You can escape" Isaid. This hit a chord with this guy, and after taking my revolver, he took off.
Later, after an intense manhunt and a hoax situation, we recaptured this guy. No shots were fired. No one injured, except my pride; and a hell of a lesson learned.
Many of you might say that you would have handled the situation differently. If presented with the same situation again, I know I would. However, knowing when to shoot or not, needs to be learned and practiced. Situations happen too quickly to think, only reaction will work.
In MA, pointing a loaded weapon at someone, especially, if that person is later found to be innocent, can be construed as assault with a dangerous weapon. If the weapon is discharged, it can lead to attempted murder. If the bullet strikes an innocent person, then it becomes attempted murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. If it kills an innocent person, then it becomes murder.
Knowing who is the bad guy and not, and the level of force to use on the bad guy is a tougher call, than most people can handle. Even the most trained law enforcement officers cannot make this call. Therefore, think well before you enter a situation. Have situation awareness. Be prepared mentally, and physically. That means, that if you believe that a weapon is necessary, then it better be out of the holster and ready to point and shoot when the time comes. Quick draws only work in the movies.