Posted on 04/18/2015 5:37:57 PM PDT by Ronald_Magnus
ELSMERE, Ky. —Officer Jesse Kidder has only been on the New Richmond police force for a year, but he did two tours of duty in Iraq as a Marine and he's a Purple Heart recipient.
Still, he said he's never been confronted the way he was on Thursday.
"Law enforcement officers all across the nation have to deal with split-second decisions that mean life or death. I wanted to be absolutely sure before I used deadly force," said Kidder.
It's easier said than done, and that has never been clearer than through the lens of Kidder's body camera, when the homicide suspect he was following on Thursday got out of his car and charged.
"He jumped out and he sprinted towards me. I had my firearm already drawn on me, and I told him to put his hands up in the air and he was screaming as he was yelling, 'Shoot me, shoot me'," Kidder said.
Dispatchers had told Kidder the suspect may threaten suicide by cop and that he could have a gun under his seat, but Kidder relied on his own split-second observations to know what to do.
"So he's got his arms at his side while he's running at me and that's the first thing I noticed," Kidder said as he watched the video. "He put his hand in his pocket there, so my eyes are watching that hand right now and nothing else."
(Excerpt) Read more at wlwt.com ...
And just one of the reasons why so many American’s no longer have any faith/trust in government/law enforcement.
So why is this happening?
“You never answered the question; Is it better to shoot someone to death first before ever seeing a weapon?”
Sorry, I thought that was obvious. Yes, if I want to live I would if I thought that my life was in danger.
Did Officer Wilson see a weapon? A weapon can be someone’s hands, a knife, a gun. If someone is running at me when I told them to stop there’s a reason for it and I’m not going to wait until they have me on the ground going for my weapon. It’s all about what I perceive in that short amount of time.
I’d rather be alive and explain myself later.
Yes
Just curious. Thanks.
You'll note I never said or suggested the officer did the right thing here. Everything doesn't always go by the book in this life. I see the officer as not wanting to take this guys life when he very easily could have done so. Shows he's human. People need to see that side too. In fact anyone wanting this cop disciplined would probably not like the publicity which would quickly follow.
I don't buy the political fallout he'd face for the reason he was holding back. The officer probably went with what he was told just prior to the encounter.
Very odd ending...The suspect is very lucky to be alive but should be dead. And cop restores faith in some, while others consider him an risky idiot.
I apologize if I misunderstood anything you said. I enjoyed the conversation.
Have a good day.
No need to apologize. I think we can all agree considering what this guy was wanted for, the officer showed very rare restraint when he certainly was not required to.
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