I have been in two shoot or don't shoot situations. The first was with mentally impaired person who just needed attention, had weapon but never aimed it. I did not fire. The second was at a local bar that without a doubt all the patrons and the owners hated cops. My closest back up was from another department parked across the street in the patrol car, he happened to be friends with the owners of the bar. In reality, I had no friends or back up at the time. I finally talked the drunk to put the shot gun down and I had remained hidden as much as possible behind my patrol vehicle. It was afterward I realize dispatch had not been paying attention, my own department had not responded. It was the deciding factor that led to my resignation and re-entering the military.
Was I right, we will never know, but I have now decided it is me or the perp walking away, no question, it will be me.
