Tulsa Deputy shoots man to death.

[glocktogo]

His past conduct is irrelevant. It also doesn't help him when he basically admits "I shot him on accident" and that are other officers who are callous to the fact that he was shot. Remember the charge is manslaughter which means it was negligent. Just as if you are I had an accident and shot someone.

It wasn't intended as an excuse, merely a relevant fact to the situation before he was shot. Locally, some have tried to describe him as an "innocent" victim, because the news isn't reporting who this guy really was. Victim yes, innocent, no. I don't condone the callous comments and I'm not defending the deputy who shot him. Please don't take it that I was.

[scottryan]

Should be charged with 2nd degree murder.

Anyone that can't tell the difference between a taser and a pistol when they pull it out is too stupid to have a gun.

[nova3930]

Reserve Deputy... 73 years old... Yep there's your problem right there. Why he felt the need to even pull out anything to shoot the suspect when he was already subdued is beyond me, and an even bigger question that needs answering: who decided it was a good idea to let grandpa in on an undercover operation???

After reading that article, I'm actually surprised they didn't mention his age and current occupation.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/m...n-for-a-taser/

It's damn disturbing having a reserve geriatric working something like this. How about maybe letting the old reserve officers take care of some admin duties instead of going after violent criminals?

[brickboy240]

Umm...does someone need to be out there carrying a badge and gun at age 73?

[skijunkie55]

Umm...does someone need to be out there carrying a badge and gun at age 73?

When Cialis stops working, you do what you gotta do.

[TAZ]

Umm...does someone need to be out there carrying a badge and gun at age 73?

This was the first thing that popped into my head when I read the article. Well, actually it was "editing sure isn't what it used to be" cause I was pretty sure that they typed his age.

There are mandatory retirement ages for certain jobs for a reason. I was under the impression that LEO was one. If it isn't it should be or after a certain age admin duties only.

I don't have a problem with the old guy wanting to volunteer his time (I'm thinking positive and not the I gave you thousands now give me mine); but who in their right minds would allow a senior citizen on patrol. Are they really that desperate for police in that area that they are resorting to this?? Couldn't they have given him his badge and gun and made him sit at a desk at the station doing the booking paperwork??

Seems like piss poor decision making from a Sherriff led to the death of a guy and another's life being ruined.

[Abraham]

Oops!

Sorry!

You gotta be kidding me.

I know I killed you, but heck, I didn't mean it.

I should be given a mulligan...

[Irish]

In all fairness, he completed the required training and has worked over 3,000 volunteer hours.

Agencies vary their policies regarding reserve deputies, some use them only at special events - parades, basketball games, etc. Others use them as a second officer in the unit for immediate backup. Some allow qualified reserves to work solo (or with another reserve officer).

A properly supervised reserve program can save an agency - thus the taxpaying citizens - a lot of money, plus make it safer for officers who normally wouldn't have immediate backup.

Two sides to the coin.

Very valid points. But, I think that dude needs to hang up his tin. No matter what his good intentions were, he killed a man, due to a mistake and he should have to pay for that mistake like anyone else would.

I also think the officer telling him the deceased to **** off should be fired.

[HD1911]

Oops!

Sorry!

You gotta be kidding me.

I know I killed you, but heck, I didn't mean it.

I should be given a mulligan...

This post sums it up quite nicely.

[Irish]

I wonder if this report of his training records being gun decked is true? If so I hope they nail whomever's responsible to the wall, prison wall that is.

Supervisors at the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office were ordered to falsify a reserve deputy’s training records, giving him credit for field training he never took and firearms certifications he should not have received, sources told the Tulsa World.

At least three of reserve deputy Robert Bates’ supervisors were transferred after refusing to sign off on his state-required training, multiple sources speaking on condition of anonymity told the World...