we were robbed

[TripleR]

Also if you think it is hard to kill someone, just ask the widows of the LEOs that hesitated to think first and shot later, Last shots they hear are the firing of a salute.
Believe someone once said;"those that beat their swords into plowshares will live to plow for those who didn't"
The Police only put it into NCIC and that is fine if another LEO runs the item but not if it is taken in for service.

Who cares who drives a truck or tractor as long as they have a job.

Comparing Law Enforcement Officers who deal with dangerous situations on a regular basis is different than for civilians many of whom have had absolutely no training in the psychological and legal aspects of the use of deadly force. Killing another human being goes counter to everything we are taught in a civilized society and a great deal of training takes place in the military and law enforcement to address this. There are studies that show even in combat, many soldiers do not fire their weapons.

I know anecdotal information isn't worth much, but I had an acquaintance who killed a parole absconder. He was charged with manslaughter and even though he was found to have acted legally, he no longer has a job and will spend the rest of his life paying legal bills. By the time I finished my twice yearly qualifications, FATS and classroom work on the Continuum of Force, I was afraid to do anything and very tempted to stop carrying a weapon.

On another occasion, I was backing an Officer up and when the perpetrator, advanced, he could not fire his weapon and left, just before I had to deploy deadly force, his brother in law tackled him from behind. The Officer resigned the next day. You just don't know what you can or will do until it happens to you.

TripleR,
Back then it was me & my girlfriend. Today, Wife & Kids I don't think I'd hesitate. I might toss my cookies & have nightmares afterwards, but my family would be safe.

T-Man.

When all is said and done, that is what is really important.

 

[doall]

triple r. I know kinda what you are talking about. About 15 years ago my younger brother called me and said to get to his house someone was trying to kill him. (not gonna say he was in the right, but that's another story) I had been married about 4 years then and told my wife "I may not be coming home". I had to tell myself that when I get there I can't hesitate or we are both dead, so I busted in the house hollering and brandishing a 45 thinking I had to shoot someone. He had left when I got there, so I started crying and vomitting. My brother asked me what was wrong. I told him " I had already decided to kill someone for him". If it made me that sick and I didn't even shoot, I can't imagine.

 

[check]

doall, this is a perfect example. Believe me, you would have been much worse off if you had killed the guy. And the previous comments about words of bravado not predicting action are absolutely true. Know that you are a good man, and your story proves it. It's what separates us from the bad guys, and thank heavens!:thumbsup:

 

[TripleR]

triple r. I know kinda what you are talking about. About 15 years ago my younger brother called me and said to get to his house someone was trying to kill him. (not gonna say he was in the right, but that's another story) I had been married about 4 years then and told my wife "I may not be coming home". I had to tell myself that when I get there I can't hesitate or we are both dead, so I busted in the house hollering and brandishing a 45 thinking I had to shoot someone. He had left when I got there, so I started crying and vomiting. My brother asked me what was wrong. I told him " I had already decided to kill someone for him". If it made me that sick and I didn't even shoot, I can't imagine.

Thanks for sharing that, your reactions are far more common than many will admit. There are emotional as well as physical reasons for it. In such situations the adrenaline dump and or Tachypsychia can really screw a person up.

In the end, each individual needs to think all of this out well in advance, so if they are faced with a deadly force situation they will be better prepared. I am not advocating for nor discouraging and certainly not making any judgments and have probably already posted too much on the subject.