Alem19, very nice sentiment, unfortunately you are in the wrong thread. There is not one disparaging remark in this thread regarding the officer involved in the shooting. I’ve read every comment at least twice.

LoL, Tcates. If Obama’s trickle up poverty doesn’t break me, my ever expanding beer budget will.

alem19-very will said. I truly don’t believe that anyone could possibly understand what it feels like to go to work each day with a gun belt, Taser, and a vest on just to protect ourselves from those that have such little value of the human life. This officer did what he was trained to do, protect himself, his fellow officers, and the citizens of Green Township and Hamilton County. I can’t imagine how that officer must feel or how any of the officers involved feel, but he did however get to go home to his family that night. God bless him, his family, and all those officers involved. He is truly a hero in my eyes and is deserving of thanks and gratitude.

It always disheartens me to read disparaging comments on news stories involving police officers. These men and women are highly trained individuals who drop whatever they are doing in an instant when the call goes out for them. This was certainly the situation late Friday night with the SRT team. Believe it or not, it is not the goal of these dedicated, selfless men and women to discharge their weapons. For all we know, this particular incident could have been the only time this officer had discharged his weapon in his career. The police force, whether city or county is here to protect and serve and that is certainly what they do. With all the violence and mental illness in the world today I personally feel much safer knowing that these hero's are on my side. Put yourself in their shoes if that is possible. Stop second guessing the tactical moves of the sheriffs department. I'm sure very few of you would risk your life to save the lives of others. Let's also try to imagine what it must be like to be a spouse or a child of an officer. I guarantee a majority of you see your spouse off to work and don't give a second thought to them not coming home. That is every day fear in the life of a wife or husband married to a cop. I am praying for everyone involved in this situation. Especially the cop and his family who hopefully have not read these message boards.

Hell yeah I will take a beer Jim Schu. Maybe you should increase your beer buying budget next month.

Fletch, um… wow, where to begin? First of all we weren’t discussing MY scenario, we were discussing YOURS. (“You do understand that the remainder of your scenario is NOT how it played out in this story, but let’s run with it nonetheless” and “Sticking with YOUR scenario allow me to pose a question”). Or, perhaps, you are referring to my comment that the SWAT team could have waited until fired upon before returning fire. (Like our SOLDIERS who also reside IN THE REAL WORLD and face far more danger than what the police do). Regarding, “What if… he pointed his rifle and killed an innocent civilian… “. Um, perhaps you missed this. I said, “(Civilians shouldn’t be an issue because part of ‘securing the scene’ would include clearing the civilians from harm’s way)”. Regarding, “Also, very few things can provide sufficient cover…”, um, besides the natural and manmade cover on the scene don’t they DRIVE a nice big piece of "cover" to the site? Regarding, “… if an officer needs to monitor the situation” I believe I addressed when I said, “Keep in mind that while that ONE officer ducks for cover, ALL the other officers have their weapons trained on the suspect”. Regarding, “If the police followed their own procedures there is not one chance in hell they could have been hit”. Were they “hit”? No! Therefore my comment does NOT state or even imply what you claim it does. The comment speaks for itself and the meaning is clear. I cannot prevent your ASSUMPTIONS but please do not presume to put words in my mouth. If I believed the police did not follow procedure I would come right out and say it! I wish I could buy you a beer but I already offered my ONE extra beer in my budget for this month to Rambo. And Tcates seems determined to claim that beer. Tcates couldn’t get in this thread fast enough once the offer of Free Beer was made! Perhaps next month.

Rambo, nice chatting with you. Perhaps I would like to hear what you discover on the scene. My e-mail is jschu@fuse.net. (Actually there is a dot (.) between the j and schu. So it is j.schu@fuse.net. I left it out to fool the illiterates).

Schu, your scenario and mindset is that of a "perfect world". In the real world, things don't always work out as planned. What if while the officers were hunkered down behind their cover he pointed his rifle and killed an innocent civilian while they were "ducking". Also, very few things can provide sufficient cover especially if an officer needs to monitor the situation. Also, officers need to protect the curious onlookers who tend to put themselves in the middle of the scenarios. Also you said and I quote " If the police followed their own procedures there is not one chance in hell they could have been hit." That to me is an assumption by you that they did not follow their own procedures. If you are going to preach that they did not follow procedure, please be able to back up your statement with fact.

Awwww another friendship formed :)

Jim, I truly appreciate your well thought comments and will welcome your offer of a beer. Furthermore, I doubt we are very different and I love your tongue and cheek comment about the qualification I must follow to accept your gracious offer. We'll probably have to make that at a restaurant that serves beer as I am not allowed to carry my personal protection device in places that's primary source of business is serving alcohol. I do enjoy the always friendly banter of nearly everyone on this comment post.