The cylinder is not aligned until the hammer is ALL THE WAY COCKED.
Depends on the style of revolver. The newer ones? Yep. My Super Redhawk has a transfer bar and a few other things where going off half cocked can’t happen.
Some of the older single action reproductions do not have that safety device.
Which one was being used? No idea. But the sheriff knows by now.
This was posted up thread. by JD_UTDallas
https://m.youtube.com/watch?t=155&v=ldHPNnsp-cs&feature=youtu.be
Bingo! Absolutely correct.