Posted on 03/10/2006 8:57:31 AM PST by kiriath_jearim
Officers' joke turns painful
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
CHAD LIVENGOOD THE SAGINAW NEWS
MOUNT PLEASANT -- Officer David VanDyke likely will never again hand a fellow policeman his revolver and utter the words "shoot me."
Superiors disciplined VanDyke and Officer Ronald Langworthy after an investigation of a Feb. 21 incident in which VanDyke "jokingly" handed Langworthy his gun and asked him to pull the trigger.
Thinking the gun wasn't loaded, Langworthy shot VanDyke in the foot.
Isabella County Prosecutor Larry Burdick decided not to file criminal charges after state police concurred with an internal probe.
"The filing of any criminal charges would be inappropriate and unsustainable," Burdick said. "VanDyke blamed the incident on himself."
VanDyke remains on light duty as he recovers.
Both officers, who have a combined 29 years of service, apparently forgot "some of the rules to gun safety, such as, never give someone a loaded gun, and always assume a gun is loaded," Burdick said.
When Langworthy discharged the gun, he believed it would shoot "blank" or "simunition," officials said.
"I did issue disciplinary action to both of the officers," said Police Chief Bill Yeagley. "Both officers are extremely remorseful for the accident."
Yeagley declined to specify the punishment.
The incident took place in the department's squad room.
Hold muh beer...
Mayberry moves to Michigan ping
This is a tough one. Which cop is more embarrassed?
As "Forest Gore" says
STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES!
Yhey may need a refresher course in firearms handling...
Super Troopers.
See kids, morons shouldn't be given weapons.
I love it when stupidity hurts.
I'm just doin' my job, I'm the Highway Patrol!
Part 2
I read about this at officer.com a few days ago. I'm surprised this is the first I've seen it here. Just shameful
Only the police are properly trained to carry guns according to the moonbats @ HCI.
Another Officer Dumbass story. I wonder why Langworthy still has his job?
ping
Don't they teach police to treat all guns as if they are loaded?
When I was in the service, a watchstander pointed an empty weapon at me and pulled the trigger. I can still feel the chill I felt as I realized what he had done.
This watch facility is manned 24/7 with armed personnel going in and out. Over the years several weapons mishaps/near mishaps ocurred such as firing a round into the floor, a petty officer picking up a loaded shotgun (left unattended), cocking it and almost taking out the communications console, etc.
Weapons safety should be practiced at all times by all users. Even when it is enforced as it is in the military (weapons clearing zones, ammo accounting, safety rules, there will be mishaps. Playing with a weapon is never wise, and should never be allowed.
I don't get it. Where's the funny part? Dumba$$es! Like those morons who set all those churches on fire - as a joke. I don't get that either. Where's the "joke"??? A joke usually has a punchline, yes? The "humor" these days . . .
Once again LEO's get a pass on behavior that would have rest of us behind bars.
Unbelievable.
Chief Wiggam, meet Officer Barbrady.
This sounds like something out of a Quentin Tarantino film!
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.