Good guys win! Armed citizen saves cop’s life - The Horn News

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The Horn News

Good guys win! Armed citizen saves cop’s life

In an incredible story of an average Joe turned hero, an armed citizen fatally shot a madman who had shot and wounded a police officer and proceeded to smash his head into the pavement.

Trooper Edward Andersson, a 27-year veteran of the Department of Public Safety, was shot in the right shoulder and chest early Thursday morning in what authorities called an ambush and was in serious but stable condition after surgery at a Goodyear hospital.

“My trooper would not be alive without his assistance,” DPS Director Frank Milstead said of the driver who stopped.

Arizona has a “defense of third person” law that allows someone to use deadly force against another who is threatening or injuring a third person. It was not unusual that the passing driver was armed in this gun-friendly state with loose regulations.

“Arizona was open-carry before it was a state,” Charles Heller, co-founder of guns-rights group the Arizona Citizens Defense League, said of laws allowing people to carry firearms in public. “If you see a guy walking down the street in Tucson, Arizona, with a gun on, you don’t think much of it. It’s natural.”

The drama unfolded at an early-morning rollover wreck on Interstate 10 in the desert west of Phoenix that ejected and killed a woman. Authorities believe the man who shot Andersson was driving the car that crashed.

Officials said they were trying to determine exactly what happened and that the investigation faced major hurdles with Andersson seriously injured and two others dead. Their identities were not immediately released.

A separate driver reported gunfire and Andersson was responding to that call when he spotted the wreck and stopped, Milstead and DPS Capt. Damon Cecil said.

Andersson was putting out flares when the suspect opened fire and then physically attacked the wounded trooper, Milstead said. Both Milstead and Cecil said he was ambushed.

The man was on top of the officer and “getting the better of him,” slamming Andersson’s head against the pavement, Milstead said. That’s when the passing driver showed up and asked if the trooper needed help.

Andersson said yes, and the passer-by went back to his vehicle, got his gun and told the suspect to stop the attack, Milstead said. When he didn’t, the driver shot him.

Prosecutors said they were not commenting yet on whether they will review the shooting by the driver because it is an ongoing investigation.

Investigators were trying to determine how the rollover happened and whether the suspect was involved with the initial report of gunshots, officials said. Investigators plan to speak with the person who made that call.

Milstead said he feared the worst when he headed to the hospital to check on Andersson.

“He’s incredibly fortunate to be here with us today,” the director said.

The Associated Press contributed to this article. 

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Comments

  1. FINALLY SOMETHING POSITIVE, THANKS HORN FOR A NON PAID POLITICAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF SOME GOOD INTEL……

    • Thumbs up. Excellent response from an armed citizen. See Chicago,Phil.,DC, Detroit, etc… This is gun laws, nothing else needs to be debated.

      • Bless the civilian and his family; I hope the officer heals completely and quickly. Bless his family. Let the police know there are people out there care who care. The open carry law works.

        • Doggone right it works. Remember that little Georgia town that passed a MANDATORY open carry aw decades ago? You read right: MANDATORY. Everyone in public was required to carry. Crime? It virtually stopped.

      • I TOTALLY SUPPORT THIS HERO CITIZEN FOR HIS ACTION IN PROTECTING ONE OF AMERICA’S FINEST.

        THANK YOU.

      • Would someone please tell this story to Obama!
        He just doesn’t get it and would probably have this hero arrested for shooting another person! Oh well, he’ll be gone soon and we won’t have to care what he thinks anymore!!! ????

  3. I hope they give that good citizen the honors he deserves. Public medal award, praise from all, TV coverage, etc. . Unfortunately ,we will never see this in the “media”….only in great sources such as this, ….thank you HORN !!

    • I know this sounds Terrible to say But,, had there been a Black man involved,, being the perpetrator,, Main Stream Media would have been all over it and the sharpton goons would have went to Phoenix.
      Also let us give thanks to Sheriff Joe Arpaio, of Maracopa County for standing behind the rights to open carry,,
      Thanks Horn,, good ending,,

      • Why is T4WH ‘s comment awaiting moderation?? Really,, I spoke what I see and felt,, you can take me off you e-mail list if I’m that bad,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,OK?

    • Very true there Bob. Had that would have happened in my no good ROTTON birth state of New York like that person who killed a criminal in self defense while riding in a New York City subway, he would have been tried for murder and raked through the coals. In way far too many places nationwide criminals have rights and the crime victims only rights are being a crime victim and having crimes committed AGAINIST them. Those whinny ultra Liberal coddled spoiled brat liberals love criminals & hate crime victims.

  4. Hooray for an armed citizen that was not afraid to get involved, and thank God for the 2nd amendment, all the Libs who oppose the 2nd Amendment should take notice.

  5. God Bless the citizen that had the courage to do what needed to be done to save the trooper’s life. More of us need to “get involved”, and pray that we don’t get prosecuted as the bad guy! Welcome to the upside down world of the liberal, where right is wrong and wrong is right.

    • Me, too! There are way too any Muslims in Dearborn and crooks in Detroit, Saginaw and Flint. Open and Constitutional is the ONLY way!

  10. I’m gonna call BS on part of this. First I will say GREAT the jerk is dead!!! I find it hard to swallow the armed citizen got out of his car unarmed, ask the cop if he needed help while he was getting his head slammed into the road, went back and got his gun, ordered the man to stop and then shot him. My guess is he got out of the car armed told the guy to stop and when he didn’t shot him.

    • what difference does that make the asshole got his a legal gun owner used his 2nd amendment rights and a police office was saved. Its all great. the point is for gun rights used the right way.

      3%

    • It might not have been the calm narrative the article implied. Likely the driver stopped, got out, and yelled if the officer needed help because he didn’t see at first all that was happening. But then realizing the gravity of the situation he immediately got his gun and yelled at the miscreant and fired when he didn’t. Likely it happened very fast, fortunately for the police officer.

    • I knew someone would find a way to discredit the story! What the hell diference does the chain of events make?

    • I wouldn’t bet against you on that one, but as I said we have to worry about getting prosecuted. Don G.

    • Whatever…the point being a good citizen had the courage to act and saved a life. Well done!

  12. Why is the news all over this? Once again the news has nothing to do with it. We are so very grateful that a armed citizen helped save this officers life.we thank you big time for stopping to help our man in blue.

    • The sad and dishonest narrative of much of the MSM is that the instances of guns being lawfully used to stop criminals is so miniscule as to negate any reason for the 2nd Amendment.

  13. Every State needs to adopt a “Gun Law ” like Arizona’s. Then and only then will we take OUR America back from the “Thugs”. Hat’s Off to the Hero Citizen!

  14. Way to go Arizona! We need the rest of the country to wise up to the fact that an armed citizenry is the best deterrent to criminal acts. Remember back when carjackings were commonplace. Now you hardly hear of them as a stand alone crime. Even criminals do not like to be shot. Love that “defense of third person” law. Lets get Congress to make it a Federal Law. We now will have a backbone in the white House who would sign it. Remember, even criminals do not like to be shot. Maybe that would slow down the carnage on the south side of Chicago.

  15. Would love to buy this guy a steak dinner!!!

    Bravo!!!

    Hope he told the bad guy “Make my day” and then blew on the barrel of the gun. Afterwards. Lol. Sent straight to H3LL and WE THE AMERICANS DONT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE THUG in a cushy cell.

    • Yes, you have the right attitude AWAKE!!!! I’ll help pay for the stake dinner also!!

      • They ARE cushy… out of the weather elements, (dry with comfortable temp) and food served three times a day. Too many of our vets who have served in wars are homeless, with no meals provided and the vets didn’t do any crime!) Yes, I would call that cell cushy!!

      • I’ve seen a few. Depends on the prison. I’ve seen (not occupied) some that really are ridiculously cushy, and some that are nothing more than big toilet-stalls with cots welded in. Which one you get depends, to be blunt, on how rich you are on the outside.

  17. WOW what a true HERO and a true AMERICAN!!!!!!! way to go my friend,an i can only wonder of the joy and feelings you have giving that troopers family!!!!!!!! may GOD bless you

  19. That is the way it should be!!! My hat is off to the man that saved that Trooper’s life- No permits, no gun registrations, or anything else like that- That wasn’t done back 300 years ago, so make open carry, a 50 state law, with NO restrictions whatsoever!! They make everyone do this, because it is a means of control- The second amendment SHOULD BE EVERYONE’S gun permit!! Agreed?

    • I agree with Randy Kelly’s Comment on 1/13/17. The second Amendment is all that’s needed, but can you imagine what would happen in Chicago if congress passed such a law? Even persons in prison would be allowed to carry a gun, but would that be all bad? Murder would still be illegal. I think it would create a rather polite culture. It might be a good idea to invest in an undertakers consortium.

      • Under the Constitution the States do have the right to have laws preventing criminals and the mentally ill from possessing weapons is so adjudicated by a court. By the way, they say that in many States like Texas where concealed carry is allowed by LAW ABIDING citizens it’s more polite.

  21. Wondering if the scumbag was an illegal? If so-ought to take his body and throw it Back over the border before the wall is too high
    Hahahah

    WE WILL BUILD a YUUUGE WALL and MEXICO WILL PAY FOR IT!!!!!

    Keep all the illegals IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY!! AMEN

  22. The guy that helped the trooper should get a metal or at least one year free of traffic tickets! 🙂

  23. Sherriff Joe Arpio recommended that all Arizona’s, who have gun training, carry their weapons for situations just like this. I’m proud to live in Arizona. The bad guys better take notice.

    • You may want to hire Sheriff Joe as a community director of armed and properly trained citizens. Obama is still attacking Joe and will not stop until he is in prison. Help Joe and help yourselves at the same time.
      Did you ever notice after 50 years of dumping into a river it will clean itself out in less than a year. Since President Trump is draining the DC swamp I believe good guys will be stepping up more and more. Amen to citizen heroes everywhere.

  24. This officer would have been dead had there not been a good citizen with a gun. This officer was blessed with the good fortune of having this armed citizen come along when he did. This guy deserves a madal… Take note all you fanatical Libtard gun control zealots.

  25. Good thing he was a good guy who carried. Many a lib would probably have passed by on the opposite side of the road “not seeing anything”.

  27. Thank God, this didn’t happen in California, Jerry Brown would already have this hero arrested for murder.

    • Jerry if that would have happened in my no good ROTTON birth state of New York & the state of New York is 100 million times far worse than California, there he would have been Arrested, thrown in prison and the criminal that was shot by him would have been the victim.

    • I thought the same thing, John. However, he probably did, but it wasn’t reported like that – for various reasons. I think that more likely the Good Samaritan yelled out something like, “Hold on Officer!” while he reached for his gun. Arizona is a great state – and after staying there and becoming used to their ‘open carry’ laws, I believe every State should follow suit. Maybe this will, after The Donald becomes POTUS… but it probably won’t happen “overnight”…laws like this which need changing take a little time. I noticed that there isn’t – or wasn’t – the same problem in Arizona with gun lawlessness as in some other States, so open carry ( or even concealed carry) obviously is the way to go. Recently a young lady in Phoenix, I think it was, was nearly robbed when she was accosted at a supermarket at gunpoint, but she was quicker and drew her firearm and shot her would-be robber, and saved the day!

  29. Six months ago the helpful individual would have been chastise by the president for resorting to deadly force before he politely asked the guy to quit trying to kill the officer. The new president will hopefully give the guy a presidential award.

  30. Live your life with confidence and be ready to help the people that deserve it. Learn how to use the weapon , carry it and
    always be ready to use it. Its time for justice.

  31. Nope, Obummer gives medals to his own staff, such as yesterday giving the VP the Medal of Freedom! For what, it seemed it was because he lost his son to cancer, I have a friend who lost her 17yo son to cancer, where’s her medal? Can’t wait till that POS is GONE! Hooray for the citizen that saved the officers life!

  32. California must have Defense of Third Person Law, but it is impossible before Californians understand, that conservative movement is what we need here.

    • California believes that if we make all guns illegal, then nobody will get shot. After all, that’s how they stopped everyone from taking drugs, right?

  33. Well, you can bet the liberal news media will not make much of this. Horn News may be the only place you see this story!! Although …. some of this biased news media may have to starting to report the actual news after the 20th!!

  34. yeah! one for the good guys. This is exactly what should happen to crooks Best of all, we don’t have to pay
    to keep his butt in a prison, for the rest of his life.

  35. The leftist liberal media and the Democrats will use this story to condemn gun violence and advance their gun control agenda while ignoring entirely the aspects that involve the heroic actions of this courageous bystander.

    The ACLU is already planning on suing the cop for wantonly and negligently interfering with the thug’s right to play with lead projectiles in a public place.

  36. It is finally time the law abiding citizens of this country take back America from the thieves, thugs, murderers, rapists etc. Perpetrators never know if the person they attack will fight back with a gun…watch out.

  37. The RNC held it’s convention in an Open Carry State. Not a peep, a poop or a hoot from protestors like BLM was doing everywhere, beating Trump supporters and rioting, nothing.

    Bad guys can always get guns people but they run from a good guy with a gun. Get smart. Bet you if D.C. an Open Carry state these protests planned for this inauguration wouldn’t take place.

  39. Most law abiding citizens that carry guns would be more than happy to help others in need if they wont afraid of being arrested and prosecuted for doing the right thing. The liberals who are so much against guns, Congressmen, Senators, Governors, Attorney Generals don’t carry weapons they have body guards that do. Many thanks to the man that came to the aid of someone in need. A hero like that really does not need a metal for doing the humane thing, just a real big THANK YOU should work!

  41. Thank goodness for the hero with the Gun.., thanks for saving our officer in Blue..
    We need more people like this person who stopped to help him, Thank You..

  43. This kind of thing needs to be done more often. Police need the full support of each and every honest and law-abiding citizen.

  44. That does happen sometimes, the armed citizen saving the day, and it happens a lot more than the anti gun types are willing to admit.

  45. When the current laws regarding guns are enforced. Most of them would be repealed, but as long as the laws are ignored as to the “elite entitled” only the law abiding citizen will be in danger. Remember in most states you are not allowed to use a weapon to protect your property! You may only fire a weapon to protect your life but in most cases you must prove that you feared for your life first.

  47. i sincerely hope that The Horn will give regular coverage of successful defenses of life, liberty, and property by good men and women with firearms.

    MSM refuses to do so. Their agenda is that of the NWO/OWG/globalist scum, who desire all to be unarmed and therefore easy pickings for tyrants and would-be tyrants, as well as bullies of all stripes, from street thugs to bullies with badges.

    FMO, MSM will ONLY report on the criminal uses of firearms; only RARELY will they report on the successes of armed Citizeny, and then usually when elderly people do so, especially women.

    Reminds me of the story of the cop who pulled over an 87-yr-old for doing 50 in a 35; when he ran her license, he saw that she also held a CCP. He then asked her, “Ma’am, do you have any firearms with you today?”
    “Yep,” she replied, “I’ve got my .45 in the glovebox.”
    “Um-hmm,” replied the copper, “Do you have any others?
    “You bet,” she said, “My 9MM Beretta is here in the console.”
    “Ok, said the officer, “Any MORE?”
    “Uh-huh,” she exclaimed, “I’ve got my .38 snubnose here in my pocketbook.”
    “Wow,” said the cop, “What in the world are you afraid of?”
    “Nothing,” she replied, “Absolutely nothing – and nobody.”

  48. Don’t know about all the folks leaving comments out there about the guy that shot the Dirtbag that shot the cop, but it seems very strange to me that hardly any of the new stations are carrying the story ,,I guess it’s got something to do with a good deed done with a gun

  49. I can just hear it now (MSM): Well, yeah, but this kind of situation doesn’t happen often enough to warrant just anybody carrying weapons. Cops get paid to take these risks and if they get shot so be it.
    Now we will never know why the victim was beating up on the cop. If he was a survivor of the wreck he should be grateful the cop showed up, and he should not be beating up on him. They will spend many thousands of $ investigating the incident and when it’s all over, they will say “it turned out OK, but you should ALWAYS leave it to the cops, don’t take these things into your own hands. Instead, just stand and watch the guy beat the cop to death. THEN you might be able to shoot, but call 911 first. (If your cell phone works).
    What would you bet the cop who was beat up and shot doesn’t CARE, he’s just happy to have been rescued.

  50. Good people with guns make good things happen everyday but don’t hold your breath until the Lame Brained Media ever mention it.

  51. The good guy not only saved one our troopers he also saved the tax payers a ton of money,, on jail time and court costs,, the lawyers lose this one,,
    Good ending for the man in blue,,, thanks passer by.

  53. I live in AZ, the reason the citizen who was tactically trained asked the Cop if he needed assistance to cover himself in case of prosecution by interfering with a police matter everyone who is trained tactility as a citizen in AZ is instructed to first ask the officer if he needs assistance because you don’t know if other officers are responding and could shoot the citizen by mistake if he had his firearm out. In this case the officer being attacked had no way to call for backup or get his own gun out to defend himself due to the gunshot wound to his shoulder. That is why the citizen did not come out of his car right away with his gun. After confirming with the officer he needed help he was then okay to legally shoot the perpetrator

  54. even though the swamp will have a different smell, some of the skunks just will not leave the swamp and will still be lurking to see what they can piss on. There will still be the skunk smell because obnama will and his cronies as well are going to linger. Beware