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RossA wrote:

MechAg94 wrote:

Soccerdad1995 wrote: IMO, if you get pulled over by an unmarked vehicle, an out of uniform person gets out with a gun drawn, I am driving away and calling 911 as I do.

Assuming you have time to drive away. If the other guy already has his gun drawn and you start driving, you may be dodging bullets as you do so.

WTR wrote:

talltex wrote:

parabelum wrote:
Message has to be sent from the top that as LEO's, especially Ranger, you better be an example and an advocate on how someone ought to behave and conduct ones self in public eye.

I prefaced my opinion that he be demoted and evaluated with "at the very least". A couple of other scenarios could have easily occurred: I suspect that IF the driver had stepped out of his car, as Ranger Smith was demanding he do, and there had not been a 911 recording, he would have probably wound up face down on the ground with cuffs on, with multiple bruises and lacerations and a charge of resisting arrest and assaulting an LEO and wound up in jail facing enhanced felony charges with no defense other than to claim the Texas Ranger was lying. Second scenario: imagine if the roles had been reversed--the civilian somehow makes the officer pull over and steps out of the car yelling with a gun in his hand. He is DEAD on the spot, and the officer claims he had no choice and was in fear of his life. No charges would ever be filed.

Third Sinerio- I see a man approaching with a weapon, I exit my vehicle, fire and kill him...... I go to jail for killing a Ranger.

talltex wrote:

parabelum wrote:
Message has to be sent from the top that as LEO's, especially Ranger, you better be an example and an advocate on how someone ought to behave and conduct ones self in public eye.

I prefaced my opinion that he be demoted and evaluated with "at the very least". A couple of other scenarios could have easily occurred: I suspect that IF the driver had stepped out of his car, as Ranger Smith was demanding he do, and there had not been a 911 recording, he would have probably wound up face down on the ground with cuffs on, with multiple bruises and lacerations and a charge of resisting arrest and assaulting an LEO and wound up in jail facing enhanced felony charges with no defense other than to claim the Texas Ranger was lying. Second scenario: imagine if the roles had been reversed--the civilian somehow makes the officer pull over and steps out of the car yelling with a gun in his hand. He is DEAD on the spot, and the officer claims he had no choice and was in fear of his life. No charges would ever be filed.

steveincowtown wrote: To each their own. The law is on the side of the "flipper" not "flippee" on this one. LEO's can't pull folks over for "polite conversations" alone. Just isn't the way it works.

DEB wrote:I personally don't blame the Ranger. If folks would keep their hands to themselves, don't cuss out others, don't be flipping them off, then probably most of all problems would be corrected. I have been in the car with my wife and grandchildren and people show off their anger. They know that I cannot respond. I believe there was a reason why they say the Old West was polite. Someone is mad enough to flip someone off or cuss them, they probably are mad enough to physically harm them. Leave folks be, is my take.

steveincowtown wrote:#1> Flipping the bird is covered under 1A

#2> I grew up in the era of the Colonial Parkway murders. If someone out of uniform in an unmarked car pulled me over and then exited the car with a gun, the day would have ended poorly for all involved.

#3> This officer should be fired. He has proven through his actions that he does not have the proper temperament to be a Texas Ranger.