Canton OH police officer saved by civilian hero

[Jumping Frog]

Officer's worst nightmare, getting beaten to death with his own baton, when a civilian jumped into the fray and saved his life.

Why was I not surprised to learn the civilian, a married father of two, served as a Marine... Once a Marine, always a Marine.

Too bad our hero wasn't armed, he could have punched that guy's ticket without question. When the police are in trouble, an armed law-abiding citizen may be only seconds away.

It is worth the time to read the article, it is pretty compelling reading.

http://www.cantonrep.com/news/x53673450 ... ilian-hero" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[C-dub]

I'm sure there are many of us here that would do the same or more if we were able. I know I would.

[thatguy]

Very cool indeed, the officer and a number of his fellow officers where genuinely appreciative of his actions.

In this day and age of litigation most are to afraid to do what must be done, but not this guy, he is a true hero.

[speedsix]

...all I could...any WAY I could...if you pin your badge on correctly...the hole never heals up...

[ELB]

Good for the Marine.

A bit ironic that today is that disciplinary hearing for an officer from that same department who threatened to execute a CHL holder for, basically, being a CHL holder (also for threatening others in separate incidents).

[A-R]

Great story. Highly recommend everyone read the ENTIRE article. In addition to a wonderful story of a fellow citizen helping an officer in distress and very likely saving his life (or at least preventing further debilitating injury).

To take this a step further, I'm curious about the police officer's use of force hierarchy and whether that is a personal choice, mandated by law, or mandated by policy?

If I'm understanding basic sequence of events from article:

1. Officers grabs suspects arm
2. Suspect hits officer in face with fist
3. Officer response with Taser to suspect (no discernible effect)
4. Suspect hits officer AGAIN with fist to face
5. Officer grabs collapsable baton, hits suspect 12-15 times with it (this from the video)
6. Suspect body slams officer to ground, takes control of baton, starts hitting officer with baton
7. Officer only then decides "I'm gonna have to shoot this guy" but by that point, it's too late he can't reach his firearm (armed pinned to ground)

Questions (especially for LEOs/former LEOs on site):

* after 2 above would officer be justified to pull gun? I'm guessing not yet, Taser probably correct move for an officer
* after 4 above would officer be justifed to pull gun? At this point, with no effect from Taser, I'm thinking officer is not only justified but perhaps best course of action is to go to gun? Or am I jumping to gun too quickly in my thought process? I'm wondering why allow the final threat distance to be closed to contact distance? Just a reaction time thing? It's going to get to CQB anyway, so grab baton which is better CQB tool?

I'm thinking this article and video with its detailed sequence of events could be a great use of force training example.

[jdlott74]

Officer's worst nightmare, getting beaten to death with his own baton, when a civilian jumped into the fray and saved his life.

Why was I not surprised to learn the civilian, a married father of two, served as a Marine... Once a Marine, always a Marine.

Too bad our hero wasn't armed, he could have punched that guy's ticket without question. When the police are in trouble, an armed law-abiding citizen may be only seconds away.

It is worth the time to read the article, it is pretty compelling reading.

http://www.cantonrep.com/news/x53673450 ... ilian-hero" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AWESOME!!!! Love my Marines...Especially my own personal Marine. You are correct, Once a Marine, always a Marine.

[paulhailes]

Great story. Highly recommend everyone read the ENTIRE article. In addition to a wonderful story of a fellow citizen helping an officer in distress and very likely saving his life (or at least preventing further debilitating injury).

To take this a step further, I'm curious about the police officer's use of force hierarchy and whether that is a personal choice, mandated by law, or mandated by policy?

If I'm understanding basic sequence of events from article:

1. Officers grabs suspects arm
2. Suspect hits officer in face with fist
3. Officer response with Taser to suspect (no discernible effect)
4. Suspect hits officer AGAIN with fist to face
5. Officer grabs collapsable baton, hits suspect 12-15 times with it (this from the video)
6. Suspect body slams officer to ground, takes control of baton, starts hitting officer with baton
7. Officer only then decides "I'm gonna have to shoot this guy" but by that point, it's too late he can't reach his firearm (armed pinned to ground)

Questions (especially for LEOs/former LEOs on site):

* after 2 above would officer be justified to pull gun? I'm guessing not yet, Taser probably correct move for an officer
* after 4 above would officer be justifed to pull gun? At this point, with no effect from Taser, I'm thinking officer is not only justified but perhaps best course of action is to go to gun? Or am I jumping to gun too quickly in my thought process? I'm wondering why allow the final threat distance to be closed to contact distance? Just a reaction time thing? It's going to get to CQB anyway, so grab baton which is better CQB tool?

I'm thinking this article and video with its detailed sequence of events could be a great use of force training example.

We covered force options in class this week, soooo with my one weeks experience with force options an officer would be justified in deploying deadly force at 6. The officer followed the force continuum pretty well in my opinion, an officer's use of deadly force will depend on their departments policy, state law and personal choice.