Well, no doubt, you have probably surmised over my brief blogging career that my other career is full of humor and tales of the misfortunate, uneducated and the intoxicated. But, for the 3rd time in my brief 18 years at our 911 center, the dreaded 'officer involved shooting' on our shift arose today.
What started out as an argument between a mom and her boyfriend turned tragic. It was the type of call we take ten times per day that more often than not turns out as separating the 'actors' for a cool down period and we are on our way.
This call started out much the same way. The upset lady was reporting her boyfriend had stormed out of the house, but nothing physical had ensued. He was just pacing in the front yard between the house and his car with a brief mention by the caller that she thought he owned a pistol that was located in a blue pouch under the front seat. He had no local history with law enforcement. As officers drove in mid-block they commented they saw him outside, then noted he was running toward the car. Thirteen seconds of air silence and then the dreaded words "shots fired, male down inside the car". It appears he reached for his gun and made a motion toward the officers who were given no choice but to fire. Simultaneously, the subject had decided he was going to place a bullet in his own head, all while the girlfriend watched in horror as she spoke with the 911 operator. DOA at the hospital.
It was a rare moment when an officer informs a dispatcher that he thought his life was saved when the calltaker and the radio dispatcher were able to convery the 'blue pouch' may contain a gun. The officer indicated withouth that knowledge, it may have ended bad for them as the item looked like your simple CD holder you see in an automobile and would have not otherwise heightended their concern.
Three in a career is enough.....
