When wife is attacked, husband becomes hero

SF Gate ^ | 10-27-08 | Chip Johnson

[pasr]

He was up against a determined Berkeley resident who would chase him down, becoming a neighborhood hero and a symbol of neighborhood vigilance as the city deals with a surge in street crime

It was his wife, and she was in distress.

Here's what happened, according to the Furlongs and police: A man and woman smiled and passed by the 43-year-old mother as she opened the trunk of her car. The man, identified as Davidson, 19, of Bakersfield, apparently doubled back and struck Myra Furlong in the head before spraying mace into her eyes.

He quickly walked to the driver's side and peered inside the vehicle. She heard Davidson curse out loud when he saw the couple's daughters, ages 5 and 9, sitting in the back seat.

When Michael Furlong got to the car he found his wife in obvious pain - and infuriated. He then looked up the street and saw a man and woman walking away.

Wearing his Sunday soccer uniform and a pair of blue dishwashing gloves, the wiry Furlong set out after them on the 2300 block of Seventh Street.

"I turned and ran after these two people walking away, about five houses away. One guy broke and ran, and I just chased him," Furlong said. "I kept after him to the corner. He turned on Channing (Way) and I lost sight of him. I asked someone who saw him running, so I knew which direction he was going."

"I jumped a two-foot hedge right on top of him," Furlong said. "I grabbed him by the front of his shirt and pushed him into a rose bush when he tried to get away."

That's when another neighbor coming over the hedge yelled out, "He's reaching for a knife!"

[pasr]

The incident outside the Furlong's home is part of a surge in street crime in a city known for its liberal - and generally peaceful - way of life. Crime has become a critical issue in next week's City Council races and has caused police to take notice, identify and respond to emerging crime trends

EVEN IN THE MOST LIBERAL CITY IN THE COUNTRY AN AMERICAN HERO EXISTS.....................

[randomhero97]

I guess chivalry isn't dead.

Personally, with my bum knee and all, I would of rather let the attacker have some of my .223 rounds.

[icwhatudo]

Why did he act unilaterally? Why didn’t he just put some kind of economic sanctions on the guy? He really should have tried to understand the economic conditions that led to this guy doing this. This “hero” only increased the violence.

/s

[Centurion2000]

Personally, with my bum knee and all, I would of rather let the attacker have some of my .223 rounds.

You carry a 223 pistol at all times?

[no more apples]

Wouldn’t take much for my husband to do the same thing - thank God!

[PalmettoMason]

"Davidson" now knows that yes, indeed, you CAN get your a$$ kicked by a guy wearing a soccer uniform and dishwashing gloves.

Insult/injury LOL

[verga]

Sounds like the residents of Berekly need a mandatory carry law.

An armed society is a polite society

[randomhero97]

Umm, no. It's a rifle.

The incident happened in front of the people's home so my stuff is basically an arms length away.

[wac3rd]

Liberals weakening criminal law and the eternal welfare state makes this more common.

[mkjessup]

From the article:

"In a statement to authorities, Davidson said he planned to steal the car until he saw the children in the back seat, said police Lt. Andrew Greenwood."

I'm waiting for the predictable liberal whining about how they shouldn't put someone into prison after they showed their 'humanity' in not carjacking the victim's vehicle and endangering the children.

Just watch, that will be the cornerstone of the defense case.

[Jeff Chandler]

This “hero” only increased the violence.

Yep. Violence never solved anything. He just perpetuated the cycle of violence. He should have practiced peace through non-violent conflict resolution.

Where's a facilitator when you need one?

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

“I’m waiting for the predictable liberal whining about how they shouldn’t put someone into prison after they showed their ‘humanity’ in not carjacking the victim’s vehicle and endangering the children...”

You’re onto something there. No doubt, the perps not taking the car instantly showed “remorse”. Besides he never took the car, no crime, no foul, right?

[TNCMAXQ]

All the morons who are voting for “hope and change” will make the crime problem worse because 0 will appoint nothing but pro criminal judges and justice dept. officials. Then if they are victims of crime they will ask how did the system fail to protect me??

[San Jacinto]

"Your feeling toward your mate comes to the forefront," he said. "I didn't ask Myra anything; I just went after him. It was almost primordial."

Hero may be a bit of a stretch. He sounds like just another Berkeley wimp to me. Maybe his neighbors will bring some sort of petition against him for brutish behavior against a misunderstood yute. Give him a taste of the crap he undoubtedly has always voted for.

[Straight Vermonter]

I am offended that this newspaper used the gender specific terms “husband” and “wife”. Life partner would have been so much more PC.

[San Jacinto]

Yeah, I noticed our Berkeley ‘hero’ stayed away from such an offensive term.

[AmericanSamurai]

“I am offended that this newspaper used the gender specific terms “husband” and “wife”. Life partner would have been so much more PC.”

LOL. Yes yes, how dare they define genders.

[Ramius]

It’s been said that a conservative is a liberal who’s been mugged.

Odds are pretty good that there is a firearm purchase or two in this couple’s future.

[stockpirate]

They need to pass a law making the area a no carjacking zone. /scarasm

[Northern Yankee]

Personally, with my bum knee and all, I would of rather let the attacker have some of my .223 rounds.

expended... of course! ; )