Colorado police are hailing Johnny Hurley as a hero for shooting and killing suspect Ronald Troyke after the latter gunned down Officer Gordon Beesley of the Arvada Police Department.
Troyke shot Officer Beesley twice with a 12-gauge shotgun and proceeded to shoot police car windows before returning to his vehicle to grab an AR-15. The suspect was then confronted by Hurley, who shot him with his own handgun. Hurley then held the suspect’s AR-15 before a responding officer arrived on the scene and began firing, striking, and killing him.
Hurley was seen shopping by a store worker when he ran to confront Troyke with his gun while shots were fired.
Police have reported that Officer Beesley was targeted after learning Troyke had a strong hatred for them and a document by Troyke detailing how he planned to kill as many Arvada police officers as possible.
What could Hurley have done better in this situation that would have preserved his life? We can all make our own assumptions, but it would have been ideal for him at the very least to have gone to his own safety and potentially report the shooting himself afterward. Or put down the firearms after the threat had ended. Had Hurley not been holding the rifle, he would probably still be alive to tell his story.
Could the responding officer have given him a fair warning before firing? It would have to be determined what exactly was dispatched to give a fairer view, but it still is questionable why Hurley would be holding Troyke’s rifle after gunning him down.
Hurley still should be hailed as a hero for preventing further intended harm to law enforcement, but this also shows the dangers of trying to be a savior, more so prolonging it. It is a choice to put your life on the line for others, and with that comes the possibility of losing your own, ironically here for trying to do the right thing albeit with a questionable action in doing so.
Never touch a criminals firearm.
Kick it away if you think they might still try to use it again, but do not pick it up.
Also, once you know the threat has ended, put your own firearm on top of your car, on the ground, or even back in your holster, anyplace but in your hand. Off body would be the most obvious indicator to responding officers that YOU are not the threat.
Keep your hands OPEN, and fully VISABLE once officers are on scene, and say as little as possible until your USCCA rep arrives or your own lawyer has arrived.
“Anything you say CAN and WILL be used against you….”
Unfortunately, what you say is true. Citizens need to start pushing back.. not simply accept the status quo. Law Enforcement needs some major cultural shifts. There’s a serious problem when our soldiers have more strict rules of engagement in a war zone than our police have in our own streets.
I did not like how this article was written. The way the article was written give the impression that the good guy with the gun was responsible for his own death. Reminds me of the security guard in Chicago who was killed by the responding officers. I don’t know the race of the guy in NA, but I do know that the guy in Chicago was a black buy with a gun and a black hero good guy is more likely going to get killed by responding officers because of biases. What has happened to scene assessment before shooting away. I am sure that Mr. Hurley’s family is proud of his actions. However, at the end of the day they do not have him in their lives. The police have to do better. PERIOD!
The guy was STUPID for picking up the bad guy’s AR. First thing we are taught in this type of scenario is to holster our weapon before the police arrive. Your condemnation of the police calls into question your suitability for carrying a firearm!
Shame on you for encouraging cowardice. Every American needs to make a stand for their fellow citizens if/when situation arises…. not tuck tail and leave others at risk.