Posted on 07/04/2011 9:32:06 PM PDT by Do Not Make Fun Of His Ears
A police officer has been fired after allegedly losing his temper at a cook-off and throwing a tear gas grenade at a rival team - many of whom were military amputees.
Mike Hamby, 52, could face criminal charges for the drunken attack, which happened at this year's Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo BBQ Cook-Off in Texas.
Several members of the team were left vomiting and with burning eyes after Hamby, an officer with 30 years service, allegedly flung a military-style 'clear-out' grenade into their tent.
Hamby, who was off-duty, had been drinking before the incident in February, according to police documents.
He was competing on behalf of the Pitt and Spitts Barbecue team, who had fallen out with Hamby's Fayette County Cookers the night before. The next day Hamby became so enraged with his rivals, who included a number of wheelchair-bound military veterans, that he allegedly threw a canister of tear gas at them.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
everywhere the go roll, nothing but trouble
BTT. That guy in front - he looks like trouble, all right.
Yep, he’s the dangerous type. Myself, I’m pretty much harmless. But if we ever meet in a tent at a chili cook-off, whatever you do, don’t pull my finger. People could get hurt...
I have an old Air Force buddy that can do this with a fart.
Never in the Air Force. Navy. When they said “clear the decks”, I did what I could...
“I bet even the usual gang of bootlickers won’t defend this. “
It seems that at least one poster is willing to defend even this.
This is typically the type of incident that when you finally come out of the drunken fit and realize how stupid you acted...then you resign your position and admit you have a drinking problem. My bet is that he will tender his resignation within twenty-four hours and try to apologize for the episode.
Bump.
Since the incident happened in Feb and we are now at July, I say not. He is trying to save his job and stay out of jail.
“While they are a bunch of spineless weenies...”
Relevance???
And you believe this moron was somehow justified after you reading a white washed version emanating from his buddies in and out of the IA division? You must have been his side kick. The (former) officer committed a despicable and cowardly act no matter how he (or you) tries to justify it. As a 100+ disabled purple heart veteran I loathe this imbecile and his actions and find this man to be a total moron deserving of my and every other combat veteran's contempt and of what he is getting for his despicable act!
Robert Heinlein via his character Lazarus Long [Notebook] put an axiom that this officer should have paid attention to; “Beware of strong drink, it makes you shoot at tax collectors ... and miss!” Very bad choice of antagonists here, these people have friends who can do a lot more than tear gas.
“Oh, great. This was published in the UK.”
Was going to mention this but thanks....I mean why do we here about this from overseas????
I know, the list is long.....just saying it shouldn’t be this way.
If this was reported here, too many people would be thinking..”This isn’t the kind of America I want!”...which would, of course, be bad for Obama.
Don’t worry, he’ll be retired with full pension and probably some kind of “stress management” for which he’ll get extra pay.
It doesn't.
I still don't read anything that justifies Hamby's use of a tear gas "crowd dispersant" on a tent full of 60-80 people.
Hamby's in Tent #1 with a group of people including military veterans, such of whom were amputees. God Bless the veterans, and I say that sincerely and with a lump in my throat for those injured warriors.
Hamby overhears some people in Tent #2 say things that he "felt" "bad-mouthed" the military. We don't know whether he spoke with the people in Tent #2 (the article doesn't say whether he did), or contact Houston Livestock Fair & Rodeo security. We know he didn't honor the First Amendment Rights of those in Tent #2 (even jerks have First Amendment Rights). You know, the rights that the veterans fought to preserve for the people in Tent #2?
Instead, Hamby lobs a tear gas crowd dispersant into Tent #2, affecting 60-80 people in Tent #2.
So, no, it doesn't change my perception. I don't think you have a right to tear gas people who bad-mouth the military, even within earshot of veterans who lost a limb in serving our combat. I don't think you have a right to tear gas people who happen to be in the vicinity of those who bad-mouthed the military.
Call me a bleeding heart, I guess.
Did he tie the flaps shut so they could not easily escape?
Houston’s finest, as usual!
Will hire on as a Rent-a-pig.
Will hire on as a Rent-a-pig.
While I, as a disabled combat veteran find what former HPD officer Hamby did to be most vile and beneath contempt I do not and will not besmirch the reputations of the men and women who wear the uniform of the Houston police Department based on this low lifes actions. On a daily basis they do a thankless and outstanding job and should be respected when they do their jobs the right way.
But like any major big city organization they too will have an occasional bad apple and Hamby will be weeded out as he should be. His actions has tarnished the image and reputation of the many hundreds to thousands of men and women who go out there and put their lives on the line for the rest of us every day.
So, why doesn't everyone who are casting stones be a little more circumspect in commenting on the men and women who wear the badge in our community and confine their indignations to the person or persons deserving of it.
First, thank you for your service to America and your sacrifice!
The reputations of the men and women who wear the uniform of the Houston police Department have always been predominatly of this type. I do recognize they have a horrible job, one that I would not want, but this incident was not a big surprise. Maybe it takes a bit if a thug to fight the Houston scum. More reason to stay the hell out!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.