(TX) 911 in Travis County

Drizzt · January 27, 2011, 09:20 AM

Heard an interesting bit this morning on the way in to work. Bob Cole, who is on the morning show of a local radio station, related two stories about his interaction with 911 while armed and dealing with intruders.

The latest incident was last night. His wife and daughter had just driven back from San Antonio, and his daughter was waiting in the vehicle with the dogs while her mother was putting the cats away, just to avoid potential conflict. Bob was in the back of his house when he got a call from his daughter, telling him that someone had just pulled in their driveway and turned out their lights. Bob grabbed a pistol and went out to the garage where he could see and be seen. The car in the driveway started up and started backing out, but very slowly. The driver headed down the road, still slowly, so Bob told his wife to call 911 while he kept an eye out. The 911 operator told him that she would send a deputy out, but that he needed to go put the pistol away immediately. Since Bob did not know if the car had dropped anyone off or what else was going on, he said that he would do so as soon as the deputy got there. The 911 operator started lecturing him, at which point Bob hung up. The operator called back to continue the lecture. About that time, a Travis County Deputy shows up and Bob goes ahead and puts the gun away so that he can greet him with empty hands. While he is talking to the deputy, the car comes back around, just in time for the second deputy, who was just arriving, to pull him over and arrest him.

The other incident was about a year ago. Bob caught a fellow trying to break into his house and called 911 while holding him at gunpoint. The 911 operator told him this time as well to go ahead and put the gun away, even though the Sheriff was about 15-20 minutes away. He of course told her to take a flying leap, as he was not about to disarm himself with the bad guy right there.

Now, in both cases the Travis County Deputies were very courteous and nice about the whole thing and did not seem to have had a problem with Bob Cole’s actions. I know the 911 operators were just trying to ensure everyone’s safety on both sides, but it still kind of defies common sense to tell someone to go put their firearm away while waiting for the police to arrive in these situations.

Davey · January 27, 2011, 10:42 PM

They are probably telling him to put the gun away just so they can use it to help avoid any potential liability later on.

markj · January 28, 2011, 05:14 PM

Quote:

just in time for the second deputy, who was just arriving, to pull him over and arrest him

For driving around a sub division? What if he was lost looking forr an address? Is this why most men dont ask directions?

January 27, 2011, 09:20 AM	#1
Drizzt Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2000 Location: Moscow on the Colorado, TX Posts: 2,560	(TX) 911 in Travis County Heard an interesting bit this morning on the way in to work. Bob Cole, who is on the morning show of a local radio station, related two stories about his interaction with 911 while armed and dealing with intruders. The latest incident was last night. His wife and daughter had just driven back from San Antonio, and his daughter was waiting in the vehicle with the dogs while her mother was putting the cats away, just to avoid potential conflict. Bob was in the back of his house when he got a call from his daughter, telling him that someone had just pulled in their driveway and turned out their lights. Bob grabbed a pistol and went out to the garage where he could see and be seen. The car in the driveway started up and started backing out, but very slowly. The driver headed down the road, still slowly, so Bob told his wife to call 911 while he kept an eye out. The 911 operator told him that she would send a deputy out, but that he needed to go put the pistol away immediately. Since Bob did not know if the car had dropped anyone off or what else was going on, he said that he would do so as soon as the deputy got there. The 911 operator started lecturing him, at which point Bob hung up. The operator called back to continue the lecture. About that time, a Travis County Deputy shows up and Bob goes ahead and puts the gun away so that he can greet him with empty hands. While he is talking to the deputy, the car comes back around, just in time for the second deputy, who was just arriving, to pull him over and arrest him. The other incident was about a year ago. Bob caught a fellow trying to break into his house and called 911 while holding him at gunpoint. The 911 operator told him this time as well to go ahead and put the gun away, even though the Sheriff was about 15-20 minutes away. He of course told her to take a flying leap, as he was not about to disarm himself with the bad guy right there. Now, in both cases the Travis County Deputies were very courteous and nice about the whole thing and did not seem to have had a problem with Bob Cole’s actions. I know the 911 operators were just trying to ensure everyone’s safety on both sides, but it still kind of defies common sense to tell someone to go put their firearm away while waiting for the police to arrive in these situations. __________________ "That a free citizen should have to go before a committee, hat in hand, and pray for permission to bear arms - fantastic! Arm your daughter, sir, and pay no attention to petty bureaucrats." Robert Heinlein - Red Planet

January 27, 2011, 10:42 PM	#2
Davey Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2010 Location: Not far enough from Chicago Posts: 394	They are probably telling him to put the gun away just so they can use it to help avoid any potential liability later on.