WWII vet sends armed burglar suspect to hospital

[Keith B]

Saw the video of this guy and he was cut several times on the face and had a black eye, but his preperation paid off!
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10:21 PM CST on Wednesday, February 13, 2008

By CHRIS HAWES / WFAA-TV

Police said one man is now in the hospital after an elderly North Texas man took action into his own hands when confronted by two armed brothers inside his home Saturday night.

Armed with a knife, the suspects threatened James Pickett, 80, with a knife, authorities said. They also said they believe the brothers entered his home with the intent to rob him, and even possibly even kill him. However, Pickett - a World War II veteran, former fighter and lifelong John Wayne devotee - wasn't about to let that happen.

It all began Saturday night when Pickett said he opened his door and two men barged inside.

"He just come through that door stabbing and beating," he said.

However, Pickett said just before he went to answer the door, he had first placed a pistol into his pocket.

"And he jumped and turned, and I shot him there," he said.

The two brothers, Paul and Holden Perry, ran, but didn't get far before calling an ambulance. One of the bullets just missed Perry's spine.

"He's my hero," said one neighbor of Pickett.

"Well, I ain't got no business being a hero, by no means," he said.

Both brothers face assault, burglary and robbery charges. Deputies assured Pickett they aren't likely to get out of jail anytime soon. However, he didn't seem that worried anyhow.

"Because I think I'm a ten times better shot than he is," he said. "But they best not come back."

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/n ... 09f6a.html

[Venus Pax]

[phddan]

Good for him.


Dan

[MrsFosforos]

I saw that on the news last night too. The pistol looked like a derringer.

[Keith B]

I saw that on the news last night too. The pistol looked like a derringer.

Yeah, looked like an NAA mini http://www.naaminis.com/lrifle.html. My Father-in-Law got one for Christmas so he could have something out at the shop in his pocket. I would rather carry something larger with more bang, but as most will say, including this guy, better than nothing.

[The Annoyed Man]

When the last of that generation dies out, this nation will have lost a great treasure. I loved this story.

[M9FAN]

Score another one for the good guys!

[zbordas]

Excellent job! Thank you!

[jazr45acp]

Thank you Sir for your service to our country and community.

[elwood blooz]

Thank you Sir for your service to our country and community.

[Kyle(Houston)]

Awesome

[PUCKER]

I love WWII vets (actually all vets, but a special place for the WWII guys, probably because both of my grandfathers served) - kudos to this guy for standing up to the bad guys and defending his home/life!!

BTW - I've got the NAA in .22 magnum - it's a little pocket gun with a PUNCH - a last-ditch gun for sure - but effective.

[hkshooter]

This was just north of Granbury, it was front page news of our local paper on Wednesday.

Always great to see someone standing up to evil.

[Keith B]

Here is a follow-up article and link to the video

I like the fact he is a John Wayne fan and at the last of the video he states "...next time I got a ... Well, shut up.. They just best not come back." He knows not to give away his secret weapon info.

Also noticed the ammo shown was centerfire, so was NOT for the NAA mini they showed in the video.

[Charles L. Cotton]

When the last of that generation dies out, this nation will have lost a great treasure.

Yes we will. They were our greatest generation; I wish my father were still alive so I could say that to him just once more.

Chas.