And that sounds like a terrible thing, right? A guy, murdered in his home by rogue police officers - that's a travesty of justice!
Yeah, it sounds pretty bad, until you look into it. But that's part of the problem with the internet - people post stories, and other people believe them without looking up the details.
Now, before I start, let me point out that I oppose police brutality. I understand that there is police overreach, and that criminal acts have been and will be performed under the cover of a badge. I mean, hell, I live in Albuquerque - I'd have to be an idiot to think otherwise.
The thing is, this one isn't like that. Not according to the available evidence. The police were, in fact, sent to the wrong address. But only after they arrived did things go straight into the crapper.
Waller exited his residence and entered the garage with a handgun showing. Police did not know if he was a resident or a suspect.Waller wasn't an innocent man - he was a paranoid nutjob with a gun. And he felt that he had the right to point that gun at the police. Sure, they were at the wrong location, but they were doing their job. And what, exactly, are the police supposed to do when confronted with armed lunatics brandishing firearms? Lie down and bleed?
Investigators said that the Hoeppner gave Waller repeated commands to drop his gun, but the homeowner did not comply. According to the officer, Waller responded with "Why?" and "Get that light out of my eyes."
Hoeppner added that Waller eventually put his gun down on the trunk of a car. As the officer moved in to retrieve the weapon, Waller scrambled to pick it up, and then pointed it at the officer. The report said that this is when Hoeppner fired his weapon six times.
The NRA wants you to believe that an armed society is a polite society, and that the only defense against a bad man is a good man with a gun. But they're wrong. Because what is the defense against a good man with a gun? Or an armed man who believes he's good?
If Waller hadn't been a Second Amendment cultist, nothing would have happened. But he felt that he was had the right, and the knowledge, and the training, to act as some kind of lone vigilante protecting his homestead. So instead, he committed suicide by cop.
The only tragedy for Waller's family is that they didn't talk him down off the ledge; you have to wonder how long he'd been cleaning his guns and muttering angrily to himself. But the real tragedy is for Officer Hoeppner, who had to face the choice of killing a man or being killed himself. He made the right choice, but now he has to live with it.
"My name is Jerry Waller."
ReplyDeleteYou mean, he actually came back from the grave and said this? Remarkable!
Impressive, isn't it? Hopefully, he won't go snacking on brains for a while.
DeleteNameless,
DeleteAre you suggesting Jerry was a wall-eyed pre factum zombie even before he died? My intuition tells me there are lots of them still walking the earth. Deus servo nos!
Remember, that Moses wrote the story of his own death and burial. Why not this guy? You do believe in the literal truth of the Bible, don't you?
DeleteI don't want to downplay the real and really disturbing cases of mistaken shootings by police which do occur all the time, but like with that Cloven, or Craven guy, the "patriots" are always trying to fashion any confrontation into another case of private citizens ( or patriots as these secessionists like to call themselves) needing to resort to armed resistance to the "jack booted thugs" as Mr. La Pierre likes to call them.
By the way, does anyone know just what a Jack Boot is?
Originally a tall, winged cavalry boot, which was "jacked" (reinforced) by use of mail sewn into the lining. The term was applied to the German Marschstiefel, ("marching boot") a solid combat boot, mid-calf or higher, with hobnails and heel irons (possibly because both looked similar from a distance, typically being highly polished).
DeleteTrivia is my life.
Sounds more like something you'd see at some far right rally, along with shaved heads and neck tattoos.
DeleteCan anyone explain to me the new fashion in certain states of open-carrying to playgrounds, family restaurants, and businesses? I mean this wasn't happening during the Bush years, but it's happening now during an administration that has actually seen gun rights expanded, not contracted.
ReplyDeleteWe are now seeing the results of irresponsible and unstable people embracing the new expanded gun rights, and I've got the feeling that we're not safer.
Of course, the fact that I'm a knee-jerk, starry-eyed "libtard," according to certain people, may hold the answer to that question.
Hell, I don't think it was happening in Dodge City once Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp arrived. It's a deliberate provocation, in my opinion, rather than a reaction to perceived danger, although such folks do tend to grossly overstate the danger and of course the media is unrelenting in pumping up the paranoia. It's like the proverbial chip on the shoulder -- it's a dare. I think it's scary.
DeleteAnyway, I see it as a political act, but I know full well that many have the same desire many of us had as little boys to swagger around with a pair of revolvers and gun belt and are all too ready to join a political move that justifies it -- in the name of patriotism, of all things. You really do feel different carrying a gun, believe me. For some people it's exhilarating, for others, one soon wishes he'd left it at home.
And speaking of Wyatt Earp, I have to believe the police aren't thrilled by the prospect of fast-draw confrontations on the street either. I would be very much against it in urban or metropolitan - or even suburban areas.
Needless to say, I think it's nuts and while I think all states do allow hunters to carry guns openly out in the boonies or other legal hunting grounds, within city limits we need to put them away if for no other reason than not to scare hell out of people -- if it's good enough for Wyatt Earp, it's good enough for me.
And I also agree that some of these "standoffs" are similar to the apocalyptic suicide shootouts which seem to be the one aspect of gun violence that might be on the increase. The "shooter" intends to die with much sound and fury although sometimes lacks the courage and needs to put himself (it's usually a he, isn't it) in the position where the cops will do it for him. There's an element of self pity in these things as there's certainly an element of self pity on the Right. They need to see themselves as victims as much as they need to feel important, whether it's by packing visible heat, picking a fight or shooting up a school.
DeleteIt may be time for all police to be wearing mini cams.
ReplyDelete