Good riddance
good!
Thank God that first shot failed, for whatever reason...and for the verdict.
I too am critical of law enforcement. Not this one. Officer was just doing his job. Glad he got this guy, he obviously had a screw loose and/or a checkered past.
Like many others, I saw the headline and thought ‘here we go again’. But the cop did a great job...
Notice how at the end of the video there is bight flash in the distance? Looks like the perp crashed into a power pole probably due to multiple GSW.
January 2 at 1:09 a.m., Hamilton Police Officers responded to a criminal mischief complaint concerning Davis. Two officers contacted Davis in regards to this complaint and determined there were no grounds for a citation at that time. The officers noted that Davis appeared to be intoxicated and advised him not to drive.
January 2, at 1:55 a.m., Hamilton Police Officer Ross Jessop stopped a vehicle known to be driven by Raymond “Thane” Davis because of a traffic violation at the intersection of Highway 93 and Adirondac.
Officer Jessop turned on his flashing lights signaling Davis to pull over. Davis pulled his car over. Officer Jessop got out of his car, approached Davis’ vehicle, and began talking with Davis. Davis pulled a gun and fired at the officer, Officer Jessop returned fire and hit Davis; Davis then sped east on Fairgrounds Road. Davis’ vehicle collided with a utility box and a building at the Ravalli County Road Shop. Davis was pronounced dead at the scene. Davis is a registered violent offender with a lengthy criminal history.
Here is the cleaned up version of the man who tried to shoot a cop in the head:
HAMILTON – Raymond “Thane” Davis was born Sept. 17, 1973. He was given freedom from his earthly cares on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010.
Thane had a great love of the outdoors. Whether it was camping, hiking or fishing you could find him there enjoying Montana’s big sky country. One of his favorite places in the summer was jumping off the Corvallis Bridge and swimming in his beloved river.
His passion was hitching horse hair and Western arts. He loved old country music and Ford Mustangs; they were “his car.”
Thane was a big teddy bear who had a heart of gold. He would give anyone that was down and out a second chance. When Thane came back to the valley after a long absence, he found not everyone was as forgiving as he was. The last year of his life was filled with ups and downs. Immense joys and deep, deep sorrows. He is now happy forever in the loving arms of his Savior Jesus Christ, who he knew without a doubt, would always forgive him.
Well, here's hoping he asked forgiveness between the time he pulled the trigger and the time the bullet found him.
Press release from the PD a few days after the incident:
HAMILTON POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS RELEASE
JANUARY 2 INCIDENT, HAMILTON, MT
Contact: Ryan Oster, Hamilton Police Chief
Date: January 4, 2010
Sheriff/Coroner Chris Hoffman has released the name of the deceased man involved in a January 2
shooting incident in Hamilton, MT. Hoffman said Raymond Thane Davis, age 36 of Hamilton, MT, died as a result of a single gunshot wound.
January 2 at 1:09 a.m., Hamilton Police Officers responded to a criminal mischief complaint concerning Davis. Two officers contacted Davis in regards to this complaint and determined there were no grounds for a citation at that time. The officers noted that Davis appeared to be intoxicated and advised him not to drive.
January 2, at 1:55 a.m., Hamilton Police Officer Ross Jessop stopped a vehicle known to be driven by Raymond “Thane” Davis because of a traffic violation at the intersection of Highway 93 and Adirondac.
Officer Jessop turned on his flashing lights signaling Davis to pull over. Davis pulled his car over. Officer Jessop got out of his car, approached Davis’ vehicle, and began talking with Davis. Davis pulled a gun and fired at the officer, Officer Jessop returned fire and hit Davis; Davis then sped east on Fairgrounds Road. Davis’ vehicle collided with a utility box and a building at the Ravalli County Road Shop. Davis was pronounced dead at the scene. Davis is a registered violent offender with a lengthy criminal history.
Missoula Police Department was contacted by the Hamilton Police Department to conduct the
investigation into the incident. According to Hamilton Police Chief Ryan Oster (pronounced Ohster),
“When there is an incident such as this, it is Department policy to call in an outside agency to
investigate. Missoula Police Department has trained detectives for officer involved shootings. It is
important that we have an independent investigation for the way we conduct our operations.”
“As part of standard operating procedure, Officer Jessop has been placed on administrative leave
pending the outcome of the investigation; said Chief Oster, Missoula Police Department will complete their investigation, evidence will be processed at the State Crime Lab in Missoula, and eventually there will be a Coroner’s Inquest conducted by John Pohle, Powell County Coroner, as required by Montana law.”
“Officer Jessop has been employed by the Hamilton Police Department for 13 months. During this time he has completed the Montana Law Enforcement Academy, and has performed exceptionally, said Chief Oster. It is always tragic when there is a loss of life. Our primary concern is for public safety and the safety of our officers. I know that Officer Jessop responded in a professional and appropriate manner in an extremely dangerous situation.”
The Hamilton police are shooting a video? Shouldn’t they be out there solving crimes and stuff?
Woah... that’s some impressive video. Good example of how suddenly and “out of nowhere” a routine stop can become a deadly one. Mere fractions of a second made the difference between life and death for that officer. Scary stuff.
Good riddance
I just reread the the headline of this article. This shooting went to a jury trial. Why the hell did the prosecutor enen bring charges. This is rediculous.
Good shoot. Like my bumper sticker says: “When in doubt, EMPTY the Magazine”
Does this mean there was doubt?
BTTT! Fantastic video.
I hope Officer Jessop was exonerated of any wrongdoing. The man is a hero and deserves a medal and promotion as far as I'm concerned. He almost lost his life; the scumbag took point blank aim at the officer's head.
However, there is one thing that makes me wonder about this shooting; namely, would an ordinary citizen be exonerated in similar circumstances? It's not clear to me that he would be exonerated as he fired 16 shots at a fleeing criminal. The first shot was fired at the moment the truck began to move, but all subsequent shots were fired at a fleeing felon. Which is all copacetic as far as I'm concerned. But what's good for Officer Jessop is good for every one of us ordinary sad sacks.