Drew My S&W 625-5 Colt 45 Last Night

[Doug M.]

I'm pretty sure that based on the feedback, the Chief thinks he did. I used to tell folks when I was on patrol that there was only one set of eyes in my car, and that additional sets were a good thing. Since they know their area the best, they are going to be more likely to see things that don't fit, and know that they don't fit ... which is a good reason to call.

 

[TexasArmed]

I'm pretty sure that based on the feedback, the Chief thinks he did. I used to tell folks when I was on patrol that there was only one set of eyes in my car, and that additional sets were a good thing. Since they know their area the best, they are going to be more likely to see things that don't fit, and know that they don't fit ... which is a good reason to call.

Well I have an update on this story. This man was wanted in another county, on outstanding warrants on August 30, 2012, warrants were issued for crimes he committed for aggravated kidnapping, aggravated rape, and aggravated robbery. On the morning of September 6, 2012, he was arrested by my neighbor who moved into the vacant unit an officer with the City police department. I spoke with the Chief later that same day, who told me the man would be going to jail for a very long time. It turns out he was sent to the County Jail but released that same day. He did spend the night in jail. I understand that it was because of some medical problem he had with his leg which might have been expensive for the county to treat. I woulad have expected him to have been held for 10 days, till the nighboring county came to get him. But no, he was released at the county jail that same day. He was then rearrested on September 11, 2012, and remains in jail now.

So now this has become a political issue in the sherriff's race. I am highly upset that he was released although I understand that it might have been expensive to have kept him incarcerated. Nobody wanted for armed robbery, or aggravated kidnapping, and aggravated rape should be released without going to trial. I do not blame the Chief of Police for this nor the Officer who made the arrest, but this criminal should never have been released after that arrest from the county jail.

Now people around here that may think me eccentric because I always wear my guns at home, and may not understand why I do that. I live in a rough area, and I do not depend upon the police to protect me and my daughter. I am glad the criminal did not come back for revenge before he was rearrested on September 11, 2012. But whether he did or some other criminal I don't check to see if a criminal is armed at the door, I don't give them an IQ test, nor a breathalizer test,
nor a drug test. If they come through the door, I will take care of business no matter what.

And this is a good learning experience for me, to make certain that I depend upon me and my guns, not upon the police. I will of course call 911 when the gunfight is over if it comes to that. I take exception to this criminal being released because I feel like his release could have endangered me and my disabled daughter. Don't make the guy out to be a Quoir boy if it ever comes to that. Thats the end of my update, and if I ever have to take on an intruder breaking down my door,. because like they say, better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6.

 

[CrossRifles2008]

I live in a decent/nice neighborhood, and I have my shoulder holster on. My mother in law who lives in a crappy area says "It doesn't matter where you are. If they want you, they'll get you." Well they wont be getting me. If you think I'm crazy just read the armed citizen. A lot of those stories are in a nice area.

 

[Springfeildkid585]

I think you did things correctly. No point in opening the door and giving away your position. As far as not answering, I am conflicted. There are advantages to answering, like letting a bad guy know the place is occupied. If he is looking to commit a burglary of an unoccupied place, then he would probably move along. Then again, who knows what substance the guy was on at 3 a.m. Calling out may just enrage the subject or give away your position. In the end, it worked out, and you were ready had it broken bad.

By the way, the patrol car not running with blue lights isn't surprising. Flashing blue lights just give the bad guys a hint to run away. Better for the officer to try to keep the element of surprise.

I always check the window or peephole first, but as far as calling out goes, I do.
When I was running p.t. at my local Marine Corps recruiting substation in hopes of acquiring an NROTC scholarship, we were given a "knowledge" packet. Within said packet were things we were to memorize: the general orders, the Riflemen's Creed, conditions 4,3, and 1 of a weapon ect. One of the sections covered how to challenge someone while on sentry duty. This is what I go by when things go bump in the night and it serves me well.

 

[jack the toad]

Not to hijack but wanted to share a good ending to a very potentially bad situation...
12-year-old Oklahoma girl shoots intruder in home - NewsOn6.com - Tulsa, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports - KOTV.com |
If this has already been posted, I apologize.

 

[TexasArmed]

I always check the window or peephole first, but as far as calling out goes, I do.
When I was running p.t. at my local Marine Corps recruiting substation in hopes of acquiring an NROTC scholarship, we were given a "knowledge" packet. Within said packet were things we were to memorize: the general orders, the Riflemen's Creed, conditions 4,3, and 1 of a weapon ect. One of the sections covered how to challenge someone while on sentry duty. This is what I go by when things go bump in the night and it serves me well.

NO, My lesson from this, is that the county don't want to spend the money to pay a deputy to accompany the "rapist" to the hospital. There will not be a next time when I speak to the criminal through the door. I will be quiet and he can choose his fate. I won't give away my position, because even if I call the law and he is a "kidnapper", "rapist" or an "armed robber", he may be released the next day if he has a medical problem because it costs too much for the county to take him there. So Next time, I will be silent till he makes his choice. If he comes through the deadbolted door I will stop him. And I have the record to back me up that I called the law on a very bad guy and the law let him go.

Again, this is not the officer's fault nor the Chief's fault. The system is broken, I can't fix it but I can take it upon myself to stop any would be criminal or a jihadist if my guns are on me. The law can take the report when it is over, and my advice to any person (not this incident) but who is theatened, like a woman under 21 working at a convenience store, gets threatened by a criminal to cut her up, she needs to carry a gun to defend herself. This individual cut a dog to pieces recently.
and was charged with torture. So now when he threatens a woman that he will cut her up he gets ticketed. So my advice to her would be it does not matter what the law says, get a handgun to protect herself, even if under age. The first law is survival. If the law cannot keep the violent criminal in jail because it costs too much then citisens must take care of business themselves. That incident is not related to mine except it is in the same county. Unless of course, the jury's in Texas get like the ones in Chicago, that don't want to give law abiding citisens the right to protect themselves.
.

 

[Armed Babysitter]

Anytime you're faced with a potential threat and the situation is handled peacefully, you win.

 

[riverrat38]

"If he comes through the deadbolted door I will stop him. And I have the record to back me up that I called the law on a very bad guy and the law let him go."

I think you handled this matter just right, but I wouldn't give the above as a reason for using deadly force. It would make the shooting look like an act of vigilanteism, not self defense. I would just say that I feared for my life.
Telling the "law" that you shot someone because the "law" didn't do their job another time probably wouldn't look good to the "law"!


Rick

 

[TexasArmed]

QUOTE
I think you handled this matter just right, but I wouldn't give the above as a reason for using deadly force. It would make the shooting look like an act of vigilanteism, not self defense. I would just say that I feared for my life.
Telling the "law" that you shot someone because the "law" didn't do their job another time probably wouldn't look good to the "law"!
Rick[/QUOTE]

Well I will not in the future ever make a sound, only wait to see if he kicks the door in, and if he does, I will call 911 when the gunfight is over.

The facts are documented and this has become a local political issue in the sherrif's race. As for me, I am voting today, and I will leave that blank and not vote for either candidate.

As for shooting an intruder breaking into my apartment there is not a jury in Texas that will convict me. My daughter is disabled, I am 65, and the cost of taking care of her will exceed $50,000 per year. As long as I am taking care of her, no criminal will ever make it past my door.

No I have no obligation, to give my position away inside my apartment. The only sound the criminal will hear will be the sound of me opening up with my 45 if he makes a decision to come through the door. As for calling the police, they can take the report when it is over.

Of course others who live in States without a Castle Doctrine,
other than Texas may want to obey the laws that may require them to retreat to a remote corner of their home.

 

[Doug M.]

Our office advises the SO here about such things, and I am the person most likely to be contacted on a weekday with medical problems that may be over the Jail's head. Some day they will need a 24 hour clinic with more than first aid and triage capability, but that what they have now as a result of budget and county size.

The liability can be huge, and defenses few if any, to a medical neglect case in a jail. It sucks. We have had a few inmates who have had to go to the hospital in custody. We are not only paying the cost for the CO to guard them; it is often a 2 officer detail for safety. These officers are on OT, and that's around the clock until it is over. We are also on the hook for all of the medical bills. It is not hard to run up $50K+ in a week, and that's murder on the budget.

IMHO, it might have been better to transport this clown to the other county right away, but I was not there and can't really say that for sure.

 

[NYlakesider]

I live a 1/4 mile off the road, up a hill out in the boonies.

Any knock or non expected visitor would have me in condition RED immediately. I have a gravel driveway and it's easy to hear vehicles approaching. People walking in no warning.

Anyone or vehicle arriving after dark unless expected I will have a pistol in hand. That's during up hours, after bedtime someone approaches I will have my 9 shot Mossie 12G in hand. I will answer, but not be in front of door.

We did have a midnight caller that said his car broke down (and in fact I could see hazard flashers down on the road) and he wanted to call for help. I live in a no cell area.

I said give me the number and I will call for you (no way anyone's coming in or I'm opening door or going out)

I did call for him the second after I called 911. . The dispatcher said to recall 911 as soon as I completed the other call. As stated I live out a ways, the sheriffs response was "quick" it only took them 18 minutes. That is why I'm prepared and planned out ahead of time what I will do or not do in certain situations.

 

[NashvilleMike]

Now people around here that may think me eccentric because I always wear my guns at home, and may not understand why I do that.

No, sir, I don't think of you as eccentric at all. I am always armed on my person at home, except in the shower or in bed when a weapon is close at hand. We live in what's considered a safe neighborhood but one afternoon a few years back while working at home there was a rustling of the front door knob. I thought it was my son coming home early from work so I called his name, then heard nothing. Looking out the door there was no one to be seen. Stepping out on the porch with my hand on my gun in my pocket I saw a car pulling away quickly. No, sir, I don't think of you as eccentric.