Detroit Free Press – November 20, 2007:
Genesee County authorities say a paramedic shot an armed robbery suspect several times after the man refused to drop his gun, then proceeded to treat him.
Sheriff Robert J. Pickell didn’t identify the paramedic but says he’s proud of him and says he did what he’s trained to do — protect the public.
The county sheriff’s paramedic is a military reservist and sharpshooter who served in Iraq.
Authorities say a Flint man held up a gas station Monday in Grand Blanc Township, about 45 miles northwest of Detroit. They say he led police on a chase that ended in Oakland County’s Independence Township.
The Flint Journal says the 28-year-old suspect was hospitalized in critical condition.
Where’s the story here? The EMT did what he should’ve done. He had to shoot him – and likewise he had a duty to treat him. The situation may be ironic, but so what?
My hat’s off to him.
So Paramedics walk around with a loaded gun !?!
Since when? Where? Is it Gov’t issue, or just this guy in particular?
This story is very scary to me.
#2 MD – I believe it was because he was in the Sheriff’s dept. as well.
He should have treated him first, then shot him.
Mark, is there some reason in particular that he should not?
(I like the irony, though. Not quite as rich as the seal people spent thousands rehabbing after the Exon Valdez spill, that got eaten by an Orca as soon as it was released. Pretty good, none the less.)
“The Flint Journal says the 28-year-old suspect was hospitalized in critical condition.” after being shot “several times”
So is he a good paramedic or a lousy shot?
The paramedic is also part of the sheriff’s department.
The headline smells “fishy” in a “trolling” sort of way.
So OK, like a dumb fish, I bit.
Hey, the whole idea of a headline is to sucker you into reading the post.
Do no harm doesn’t apply to EMTs just MDs.
Yeah, well, some of the doctors take the hypocritic oath instead. (Scottish airport?)
Like many said above there is nothing fishy here. The individual above mentioned was on duty with the sheriff’s department as a law enforcement officer. Also, Improbus is right. We as Paramedics do not take a non malfeasance oath like Medical Doctors. That is also one of the reasons that Paramedics are employed in performing executions by lethal injection. I believe (and this is speculation so by all means, correct me) that a Medical Doctor can supervise such a procedure with the intent of minimizing the inmate’s suffering but is actually unable to perform it.
Yes, the usual interpretation is that the Hippocratic oath forbids them take part in killing.
• • • • •
aaah, Phillep? Were you making a joke that went over my head, or are you unaware of the fact there is no connection between the Hippocratic Oath and something being hypocritical?
Just asking, is all…
Now EMTs I think would be the sort to have tasers, rather than guns. Then, if they cause a heart attack, they’d have the know-how and equipment to revive the suspect. Instead, some beat cops get tasers. And juice anyone who gives them a bad look (maybe). But then can’t revive them quickly enough, because they’re not even sure the suspect isn’t faking or not. BTW, would it kill Tasers R US company to crank down the volts a little. Who declared the 1000Kv level just perfect? Was there any NIH input on this?
Flint as #3 most violent city?
Hah! We can do better than that!
There are many areas across the country that employ what is called a ‘Public Safety Officer’. These individuals work as law enforcement, fire firefighters and EMTs/Paramedics, depending on the circumstances. They are usually trained and perform primarily a single role, but are cross-trained in the other fields and as needs dictate they can perform other duties. This is usually found in many smaller city departments as well as rural jurisdictions where budgets are extremely limiting.
Lastly, there are thousands of volunteers who are fill these multiple roles without collecting a paycheck. The circumstance is not unusual in the least.
“The headline smells “fishy” in a “trolling” sort of way.”
The headline was completely factually accurate. There’s no trick to the headline to get people to read. The reason it’s a story is because it’s rare when a paramedic has to treat someone he just shot.
Very interesting… as always! Cheers from -Switzerland-.