Moral dilemma, What would you do?

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Gonzo_308

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Recently durning a really bad rain storm we lost a deputy Sherriff to a car crash. He hydroplaned over an embankment and into an overhead powerline pole. The downed power lines ignited the fuel leaking from his cruiser and he was determined at autopsy to have burned to death.

During a Tactical exchange of information (coffee break) I was talking to 2 other deputies and one said that had he been there and seen his friend suffering, he would have shot him to put him out of his misery.

The other deputy and I looked at him and he could tell we disagreed with his point of view. He cut us off short by asking how many deer I've shot after they were hit by a car over my career. and about if I've ever euthanised a dog or cat. And then he asked "Ol Gerr, was as at least as good as a dog wasn't he?" This did make me think but I'm still not sure I would do it.

I'm curious how you feel about it. To put it simple. You come across a good friend trapped alive under the steering wheel and conscious in a burning car
(we know he was consciuos at least a while because he reported his location and situation)You can't rescue him. He will most certainly die. Would you shoot him to put him out of his misery?
 
OH man.. thats a GOOD question!! :confused:

I don't know what I would have done. I personally don't think I could have brought myself to shoot another human-being, even if they were screaming for it. In the same light, I don't think I have the capacity to do so (or hand him the firearm) as it would be contradictory to my religious beliefs.

Ultimately, it would appear to be a loose-loose situation.

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President, FUD's Fan Club.
 
In another place and time... Yes - that would be the honorable thing to do. One scene from the movie Last of the Mohicans - this was the thing. THe British Officer was gettign burned at the stake... the hero gave him a painless headshot to end his suffering.

Today - This kind act could land you life in prison.

Geeze man... this is a tough call. Would I risk life in prison to end someones suffering? Tough call.
I have felt what its like to burn... Had my leg pinned over a campfire. (long story involving boy scouts and a fist fight that went into a troop wide brawl) I felt my flesh cook. Pain galore, but not that bad while the heat was applied - hurt worse 20 minutes later.

So I dont know...
 
A very hard question and I don't know what my choice would be if put into that situation.O
I pray I never have make a decision like that.

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Bob--- Age and deceit will overcome youth and speed.
I'm old and deceitful.
 
There was a Robert Redford movie - Waldo Pepper - IIRC, where he used a piece of wood to brain someone in that situation.

I say: Do the right thing for a fellow human being. You will suffer either way but do what you must.
 
Tough Call :(

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We preserve our freedoms by using four boxes: soap,ballot,jury, and cartridge.
Anonymous
 
While flying as a helicopter crewmember (combat zone)we (the crew) discussed this.....if we were ever trapped in a burning chopper (crash)and if any crewmwmber somehow managed to get out, and it was IMPOSSIBLE to get anyone else out, he would shoot any trapped crewmwmber rather than allow them to burn to death.
It's still a damn tough call. :(

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"Lead, follow or get the HELL out of the way."
 
Wouldn't the downed power lines and the puddles of water make it extremely hazardous to get close enough for a clean shot? You'd also be shooting through rain, smoke, and flame.
 
Matt, this isn't a tactical discussion, it's a moral discussion. I think we can dispense with all other considerations.

If you could end his life, would you?

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"Anyone feel like saluting the flag which the strutting ATF and FBI gleefully raised over the smoldering crematorium of Waco, back in April of ‘93?" -Vin Suprynowicz
 
Personally, I would rather have it on my conscious that I did everything I could to get him out of the car even if I failed, than to know that I took his life. And when you think of the legal ramifications it makes it even worse. I would rather risk my life to save his than to end his life to help him. Just MHO.

Just hope his family is going to be OK and that they will be taken care of.
 
A highway patrol trooper friend of mine had just this same dilemma a number of years back. The trapped LEO pleaded with my friend to either shoot him or give him his gun (don't know why he didn't have access to his own). My friend did neither (after he did everything he could to get the LEO out of the burning car). Although he said he believed he had done the right thing, he had nightmares about it for years.

I think KaMaKaZe is right - it's a moral lose-lose situation, regardless of the legal dilemma.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Matt, this isn't a tactical discussion, it's a moral discussion. [/quote]

I respectfully disagree. Morality is an abstraction, an idea created by humans. Therefore, a question is moral only to the extent that it pertains to general issues of right and wrong.

But a question about what to do in a particular situation is necessarily "tactical" to some extent because the circumstances limit the choices available. That is why I questioned the practicality of a mercy shot.

To answer the question: no.
 
Whatever your gut instinct is at that exact second is what you should do . If you take time to think you and he are doomed . A jury would not have to convict you if it realizes what happened .
Is life in prison worth it ? Only you will know at that time . Look at that scum that shot a LEO back east . Those liberals are doing everything except bearing his children . Jamal , or some such crap . If he can have a good life behind bars you should get life in Tahiti .

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TOM
SASS AMERICAN LEGION NRA GOA
 
Loose Loose? If I understand the question your asking would I or someone else kill quickly with as little pain as possible someone who was going to die slowly and in great pain. For the sake of this discussion, I assume we are ignoring how one could be certain if the person is doomed to pain/death?

My answer would be yes but only if it was someone I cared about. To me it is rather clear cut. I don't care to see people suffer. Especially friends. IT may require a high emotional and/or legal cost to be paid but that is simply life.
 
Ever see Ol' Yeller? It takes a man to do the right thing.



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Richard

The debate is not about guns,
but rather who has the ultimate power to rule,
the People or Government.
RKBA!
 
Speaking for myself, I would hope that my friends would have the courage to do that to me instead of letting me burn to death.

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Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
 
This very thing happened to my grandfather who was a long haul trucker back in the 30s-60s. He came upon a single vehicle 10-50 and the guy was trapped in the car and it caught fire. The guy begged Grandpa to kill him and not let him burn to death. Grandpa went back to his Mack, got his Model 10 2" snub and shot the guy in the head, killing him instantly. He left prior to any other vehicles ariving and he never heard anything from it. This was on a rural road late at night back in the late 40s.

7th

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SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL POLICE, KEEP THEM INDEPENDENT.
 
That would be a very tough call and you would have to make the decision at the time. It's almost impossible to plan ahead for a situation like that.

One thing that may give you comfort if your decision is to not put him out of his impending misery. The human brain and body will shut down quickly at the onset of extreme pain (shock). He may not have been in agony for very long, even though his life may have lingered for quite a while. The anticipation of burning to death is probably worse than the actual thing. It's not pleasant to think of such things, but it's true.
 
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