Police

Imagine that you are a police officer. Take a quick peek at the following, not atypical, news lead:     A standoff in Arkansas came to an end Thursday with the arrest of a suspect after a sheriff's deputy was shot dead during a traffic stop and two women were found dead....

Now you initiate a traffic stop. The ___ (fill in the blank) runs from the car. As you pursue him a 357 Magnum falls from his pocket. (Now you might not recognize the gun, but a police officer would. Pretend you are one.) The ___ (fitb) picks up the gun, points it at you, and refuses to respond to your repeated commands to drop it and get down. He turns away from you, but....

Any training that you may have had would certainly cover the "maneuver" of turning and snapping off a quick shot as the ___ (fitb) begins to flee. Sitting in a comfortable chair we have time to evaluate the situation.

First, we observed a traffic violation. (One) Second, the driver of the car begins to flee potentially eluding capture. (Two) As the officer attempts to apprehend the driver, said driver resists vigorously. (Three) Then a revolver falls from his pocket or waistband. (Potentially Four). Next he retrieves the firearm from the ground, points it at the officer, and refuses the order to drop it. (Five or Six with the threat of pointing )

Is he now turning to flee or merely feinting in preparation to fire? Five potential violations or crimes have been perpetrated in the few seconds involved. What inspires you to doubt that he will not add to the total with an attempt to shoot a police officer? After the fact we learn that he was a convicted felon and prohibited from carrying a weapon,(Seven) but that was unknown at the time, except to the driver/runner/eluder/gun-holder.

You are now the officer standing in the street. A man who is moving away (fleeing?) from you looks back over his shoulder. Oh yes all the preceding has elapsed in less than 60 seconds.

The officer in the first paragraph made the wrong decision. The details are not identical, but the scenario is. The Arkansas officer used his Taser first and it cost him his life as the subject fired.

Some in Nashville are condemning the officer for his actions in a local case. The family of the Arkansas officer would gladly trade a public protest over their still living son, father, husband, colleague, and friend, for the upcoming funeral.

Once again, if you are stopped: window down, hands on the wheel, mouth shut. Listen and nod. And live.