Had to call 911 this morning... felt weird.

JJEH

Member
Joined
Nov 5, 2011
Messages
7,163
Reaction score
8,447
Location
Central Texas
I was walking with Misty in a nature park that has wooded- and open area, it is also connected to a dam and has a creek running through with cliffs on both sides that are pretty high.

I was there right around 0815 and when I was walking closer to the creek I could hear someone yelling. No clue what he was yelling so we stopped and listened. He kept yelling and it sounded like he was frustrated and tired of life... yelling things like "Why, why, why... why you doing this to me?" and "No, I don't want it anymore" among other stuff I couldn't write here.

Not sure where he is and what's going on, so Misty and I made our way down the cliffs to the creek bed, perhaps he's in trouble?!

Once we made our way down to the creek I could see him on the other side of the creek. He was sitting on the edge of a sloped cliff, no shirt on, yelling, acting like he was under some sort of influence. I was like, okay, he's upset at someone or something. But then he started hitting himself, even kneeled down, picked up a rock and hitting himself with it in the head. I looked at Misty and said let's go back... once topside I made the call. Then I was walking around to the other side to see if I need to stop him from killing himself while police was on their way.

He never saw us but in the meantime has calmed himself down, just talking but still acting like he's on edge.

Once police was here they got my info as needed and then basically sent me off. That's when I realized that I'm not one of them anymore. I have no badge, no duty, couldn't really help.

I went on with Misty and then headed home while they were still out there. Don't even know what happened to this guy, but he looked like ne needed an EOD. I felt like I didn't do my job, I didn't help when I should have.
 
"I felt like I didn't do my job, I didn't help when I should have."

Absolutely wrong. Since you hadn't interacted with this subject and he hadn't attached himself to you, you did exactly the best thing you could have done for him, you called in HELP and then got out of the way. I certainly understand your feelings but you did more than a lot of people would have done today, which is just ignore him and hoped for the best, "not my problem".

Well done, you may have saved a life.
 
... you called in HELP and then got out of the way. ...

You are probably right, it's just weird going from being a first responder and being the help people call for, to being the caller asking for help :confused:


And who is Misty? Wife? Dog? We are often unable to tell when someone just posts a name.

My girlfriend :)

attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • PSX_20200909_125514[4683]1.jpg
    PSX_20200909_125514[4683]1.jpg
    213.7 KB · Views: 495
We moved to Ft Hood. But it ain't better here... might even be worse.

That's what I'm thinking. I was stationed at Ft. Sill 40 years ago and it was nuts.

I went to Hood every year to go camping via the Army but never left the field when there. They had a huge Helicopter unit there at the time and I didn't even get to see it.

Anyhow, I enjoyed the country there.
 
You did fine.

Retiring from a life of service can leave a big hole. The best substitute I've found is to seek a position -- even as a volunteer -- to teach others what you know, and serve in that manner. Doesn't have to be directly related to your old life.
 
He needed an Explosive Ordnance Disposal???

Emergency Order of Detention (it's for mental health cases. Many people take their meds and when they feel good they stop taking them. And them it becomes a problem...).

I'm anticipating feeling your pain. Retirement in six months. I'm going to be lost without the authority/responsibility I will have once had.

I haven't retired, I just quit so we can move out of state. But now with all them political pressure I'm not sure if I want to go back in...

You did fine.

Retiring from a life of service can leave a big hole. The best substitute I've found is to seek a position -- even as a volunteer -- to teach others what you know, and serve in that manner. Doesn't have to be directly related to your old life.

I have thought about doing reserve duty.

You have great taste in women.

It sounds like you did what was needed without putting either yourself nor your "girlfriend" in danger.

Thank you :)

At some point this was our job... facing dangerous situations. But perhaps I need to learn to move on... I was more the military guy rather than the law enforcement guy. Now I'm just a guy...
 
Last edited:
Of course..had you got involved,..I'm thinking you wouldn't have been at a disadvantage now that I gotta look at your girlfriend.

As the consensus is pretty much in agreement, you done your job and quite well. Good chance you saved his life but like so many times before... no one will ever know for sure.
 
Back
Top