quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
You WILL end up getting shot and killed by the police trying to play hero.

There are endless possible scenarios. You can't say anything to a certainty.

I answered "yes" because I think the intent of the question is whether or not I'd be willing to help. In real life, the big question would be danger to self from other cops. Since it's your scenario, and you indicated I'd be staying with the only cop, I voted "yes".

Those screaming "the police will shoot you" really need to self-evaluate. In the presented scenario, you've been asked to assist a LE officer. Instructions were to hug her ass and back her up. Why is it you think that other officers responding are going to shoot you? Are the police so bad where you live that they shoot each other? I've ran shooting scenarios with local LEO's. Where I live and have lived they welcome competent assistance. People have saved their lives by intervening when they were pinned down or outgunned. Even if there is a chance of getting shot by not just the bad guys, but also the responding officers....are you the sort of person who can stand by and watch as innocent children are killed? I'm not. I can't understand the mentality of defeated weakness those who can possess.

As a country, we're nearing the point where good people will have to decide if they are willing to work past their fears and respond as the times dictate we must. Everyone gets scared. The measure of character is the ability to work through fears and respond when called on.

I voted "Yes", given the lone responding officer scenario.

You put your hand in the middle of her back and say, “GO”

School?, Gun free zone. If there was a wounded guard in there, I would most likely be a target, even with a possible Police escort. Not to mention the legal issues afterward.
A lot of factors go into this, So no really definite answer without being there, but my first reaction would be extreme caution.

If asked, i would help. If i die from friendly fire, so be it. I’d rather die helping than in my bed waiting.

I said no (unless my grandkids were in there). I’m very under-qualified.

I hope I'd run towards the sound of gunfire in an effort to help. Whatever was needed or within my capabilities. Assisting the wounded, helping people evacuate. Whatever was needed.

I remember the airplane that crashed into the bridge, in the winter near DC. They were pulling people out of the icy water with a helicopter and when a guy got the rope and he handed it off to a women. He didn't make it.

https://www.washingtonpost.com...rida-crash-40-years/

There's no greater sacrifice than to help your fellow man in a time of need. I hope I have what it takes if the time ever comes.

former Army infantry

No way I could stand by and allow innocent children to be killed if I could do something

I would do whatever I could to assist

=====================

Given the OP's scenario, I'd offer to assist, but I also think if the LEO doesn't know you from Adam, then she is extremely unlikely to accept your assistance in covering her six. She'd probably consider you more of a liability than an asset.

If you're a LEO and have your badge on you, she'd be a lot more likely to accept.

I said yes. I'm not young and foolish enough to think that anything is guaranteed, but I'd go, and if a cop shot me I'd hope he'd have nightmares because that's the kind of guy I am.

Thanks for the responses thus far.

I will point out, though, that any question about such an unlikely scenario requires what is said about reading much fiction: “The willing suspension of disbelief,” and in this case the disbelief that such a thing could ever happen to us.

It’s somewhat more unlikely than the unlikely scenarios that are implicit in countless other questions that we entertain here, but I appreciate the people who are willing to stretch their minds a bit and give it consideration.

Well, I’ll delete my response and add a simple fictions answer that I have full kit in the car and make it look like John Wick 5.

I also have my signal mirror......

Is such a response helpful? There are people in this thread saying they are willing to risk their life. I'm one of them, and I even stated why I would be willing to put my life on the line.

Everybody dies. Some way, somehow, it comes to an end. The idea that if a person is not trained, they should just cower or stand by helplessly is crap. I'm trained by six full decades of being on this rock, and I have just enough of a bad attitude to be helpful, and I am not afraid to die.

Each day I spend on this planet makes me a little bit more savvy, and you'd be surprised how smart life has made some of us.

Yeah, I think it was.

A little humor being interjected never hurts.

It is a great idea, and I'm sure most members here would want to help.

It has become common practice for neighboring jurisdictions to practice together for incidents like this. That way no matter who shows up first, second, third, etc, they are on the same page. Adding a civilian, even one with a back ground or even training in room entry and clearing, is dangerous as you have never trained with them. Lacking body armor, helmet, coms, etc., you are likely a further liability.

The biggest obstacle is trust. They have no idea who you are and what you're going to do. This adds a complication to a situation that is already out of control.

What could you do? Help direct & secure those evacuating. You could treat the injured. Perhaps work with others to secure a perimeter and keep lookie loos and media out. Do what you can to clear the way for responding units. Probably a lot that could be done.

Having been in that situation already, yes....with a caveat. Previous incident I was in plain clothes getting an in custody warrant application at the St. Louis County Justice Center on May 5hth 1992 when Kenneth Baumruk drew two pistols out of a briefcase during his divorce hearing and started shooting. This happened in the floor above the old Warrant Office. I was between two uniformed officers as we went up the escalator. Baumruck was shot by two Ferguson Officers and a Jennings Officer.

I would go in, be glued to the officer's hip and make sure the officer put out my description as a friendly on scene.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jsbcody,

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:
Yeah, I think it was.

A little humor being interjected never hurts.

So, you don't have the attitude that only "trained professionals " should risk their lives in an effort to help? Because this is strongly suggested by your remark that "Merely having a gun and charging in doesn’t mean your actions won’t wind up costing innocent lives."

I have seen video of the "trained professional" who didn't have the courage to engage the Parkland shooter. Courage, determination and fortitude count for more than training if the trained professional is a coward.

No, my attitude is that I’m not going to become part of the problem for the sake of “doing something”.