On 22 July 2004, President George W. Bush signed H.R. 218, the "Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act," into law. The Act, now Public Law 108-277, went into effect immediately.
The bill exempts qualified active and retired law enforcement officers from local and State prohibitions on the carrying of concealed firearms.
This story from the Salt Lake Tribune, Salt Lake City, Utah
Off-duty Chicago cop shoots 'random' attacker in Orem
An off-duty Chicago police officer shot a suspect who stabbed a man, apparently at random, outside an Orem restaurant, police say.
Both the stabbing victim and the suspect were in stable condition at separate hospitals as of late Saturday morning. They're names have not been disclosed.
About 8 a.m. Saturday, a Boise man and his girlfriend were leaving the International House of Pancakes at 850 W. 1250 South. In the parking lot, Orem police said, a 33-year-old man approached the couple and somehow startled them. The man apologized, then began attacking the Boise man with a pair of scissors, police said.
An off-duty police officer saw the attack and went to help. The officer drew his gun and ordered the suspect to drop the weapon, police said. But when the suspect made another move to stab the victim, police said, the officer fired.
The shot wounded the suspect but he tried to run away, Orem police said. The off-duty officer apprehended him. The stabbing victim suffered wounds to his head, neck and arm, police said.
Police said the suspect was a stranger to the couple and may suffer from psychological ailments.
The off-duty officer was in Utah to provide instruction, Orem police said.
Great job officer! A common sense law that saved a life.
Also watch the video from KSL TV News.
16 comments:
What a great story. Media coverage totally unlike Chicago. People in Utah actually appreciate and support the police. Makes me proud to be a (retired) Chicago Police officer. Utah could be a relocation possibility.
He was called a "Hero". Well that means it will never be picked up by the Chicago media. Great job on his part though.
The Chicago news media would have made the officer the bad guy and the attacker the victim.
In Utah, the PO was a hero.....and he really was a hero.
Here that Officer would get 30 pending and a lawsuit. Nice job Office!
"Your gun. Don't leave home without it!"
Nicely done!
Excellent story! Great job to the officer. I'll be honest, unless my kids are with me, I'm kinda lazy about carrying a pistol off-duty. However, when I travel -- I've ALWAYS got one. It just makes good sense to me when you're in unfamiliar surroundings. How horrible would it be to stumble into a situation and not be able to protect your family when you've got the right and the ability to do so? Thing is, I get shit from other coppers about this all the time. When it comes up, they act like I'm nuts. "Why would you want to have to worry about a gun on vacation?", "Why would you want to be bothered with it in an airport?", "..or if you get pulled over out of state..", "When I'm on vacation I want to relax..". I hope a few of them read this Utah story. Sounds like a bunch of people are glad that guy was armed! Thanks for posting it.
this is worthy of a department accomodation
Utah could be a relocation possibility.
Sat Sep 13, 09:49:00 PM
Mormons frown on boozing.
Whats a "department accomodation?
I just hope Obama repeals H.R. 218. Let cops live like the regular folks.
Hey moron, when "regular folks" start going into harms way and actively pursuing the criminal element, then you will have a valid argument. Until then, just go away troll.
Why give the right to be armed to a retired cop? Isn't he now just a regular guy?
Great story and a great job. This shows why the H.R.218 bill was so important to be passed.
Bush gladly signed it. Do you think Barack H. Obama would have been so eager to sign it? Would he have signed it at all?
I liked the part that said by the time the story ran, the officer had left the state.
I think I would have been gone by the time the beat car arrived....
"I just hope Obama repeals H.R. 218. Let cops live like the regular folks"
I hope only "regular folks" are around if something like this happens to you, moron.
"Why give the right to be armed to a retired cop? Isn't he now just a regular guy?"
Did you read the story? That situation and others like it are the exact reason that he has been given the right to be armed. I know you liberals don't like to think about things before you run your mouth, but maybe you should give it a try sometime.
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