someone says...

I know both all three of these Officers involved and want to say that they are all three upstanding, great men. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Detective Williams would not have shot at anyone without just cause.

Though it's sad that someone lost their life, ultimately, it was Mr. Andersen's own fault....not Detective Williams or anyone elses. Unfortunately, Mr. Andersen made a decision that day and paid the ultimate consequence. My condolences go out to his family.

To Detective Williams and Sgts. Gabbard and Moad-job well done. I appreciate your service to our community.

Thank goodness the good guys came home.

December 4, 2009 at 9:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Kaz says...

I am glad to see that justice is being served lately in our country. It's heartbreaking for the family to lose a loved one, but there is no excuse for breaking the law. Has our society gone so far as to think that actions have no repercussions??? I believe that if the foundation of the law is put under scrutiny that the very fabric of order will come undone.
Kids: don't point guns at policemen, they have every right to protect and defend themselves and the public. Didn't your parents teach you anything????
Adults: don't go robbing banks or stealing cars or committing other various types of crimes. Don't you realize that that is AGAINST THE LAW??? If you want to do those things and have no order please go to another country and disrupt THEIR system.
To Mr Andersen's father who made an awful and hateful comment about Det Williams. Det Williams was doing his job. I'm sure that being an associate professor it's tough to wrap your head around what has happened or why they would do such a thing. Maybe if you found yourself in that situation, you would have reacted the same. Thank goodness that there are people willing to do a job that requires them to risk their life EVERY day for the paltry amount of pay. Its not every day that an officer has to take someone's life, so maybe you should ease up on Det Williams. I'm sure Det Williams is having a hard time dealing with this as well.

December 4, 2009 at 10:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Truth7777 says...

What kind of society thinks killing an unarmed man is so noble? Maybe before you make comments on what you think is so righteous you could find some compassion for the family who is puzzled as to why a sweet, young man who has never done anything like this before would do this and wrap your head around the full story.
Making comments about a grieving fathers anger is a low potshot.

December 4, 2009 at 8:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

private1221 says...

Unarmed? He was using his vehicle as a potentially deadly weapon! I also know Detective Williams. He is a wonderful person, police officer, and true pillar of our community. As far as a "sweet young man." The guy was robbing a bank and trying to run people over...I support Detective Williams, and I know the families of the officers and citizens we was trying to protect feel the same way. Hang in there Dave!

December 5, 2009 at 7:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Truth7777 says...

There must be some question about "wonderful" Detective Williams behavior if he has been put on paid administrative leave and the case is being investigated. The would be robber obviously made some bad decisions in trying to rob a bank by handing a note to a teller but it did not warrant the extreme forceful reaction by the detective who made the decision to kill him. Why couldn't he have shot the tires instead? That would have stopped the car.

December 5, 2009 at 10:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

nwareader says...

To those that want to knock the officer - have you been in his position, I have? If not then don't knock his judgement. You have only a split second to make the decision wether to use lethal force in any situation, he has to make the best decision he can based on the circumstances and what knowledge he has gained since responding to the call.

If the suspect had gotten away or injured someone making his get-away he'd be criticized for not reacting properly and being too soft.

Shoot the tires, really, and when the bullet hits the hard parking lot or the building and then ricochets striking an innocent bystander now what, we'll get to hear how he's a gun happy cop. That works great in movies and tv.

An officer being placed on administrative leave and the shooting investigated is standard procedure in every department I know of. The shooting needs investigated, there is a possibility that a shooting isn't a good shoot, the shooting board will make that determination and the officer needs time to make sure he comes to grips with what has just happened. He took a life - nobody that puts on a badge every day takes that lightly and most need time to take it all in before they get back on the street. I know I want him mentally prepared to do his job 110% when he comes back.

Remember your criticism the next time you need one of the 'boys in blue' to help you or one of your family - hopefully that day NEVER comes; but when it does you'll want that thin blue line there to help.

December 5, 2009 at 7:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

private1221 says...

It's mandatory to put an officer on paid administrative leave. It's NOT proper police protocol to shoot out tires! Detective Williams used his best judgment, and possibly saved the life of a citizen or fellow officer.

December 5, 2009 at 7:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

private1221 says...

Well said "nwareader" I wish that the community knew what kind of person Detective Williams really is before they snap to the "trigger happy, rogue cop" judgment. TRUST me, Detective Williams is no “Dirty Harry”. He was a paramedic for over 10 years, he started a helicopter rescue squad, he does EXTENSIVE work with the Peace at Home Family Shelter, he is a leading advocate against domestic abuse and crimes against children, he has been instrumental in changing domestic abuse laws here in Arkansas, he even teaches officers how to deal with handicap people…I can go on! All I’m saying is he’s not some “trigger happy rogue cop” like some have suggested. He is the kindest person I’ve ever known. Of course this is hard, but unless you are put in his situation, you can’t judge him or his actions. He felt there was an immediate danger and he followed proper police protocol. I agree…At least the good guys came home safe!

December 5, 2009 at 8:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

plympton says...

Crime doesn't pay. I'm thankful to have good police officers on the street. Who knows what might have happened if this guy wasn't stopped. He could have killed an innocent person.

December 6, 2009 at 12:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

BCGuy says...

It really doesn't matter what is said about this. No matter what happens there are those who will ALWAYS blame the cops. Mostly out of ignorance and the belief that TV cops are real. Look at the North Hollywood Shootout. Two guys rob a bank, fire at anything that moves, and when they are killed by police (or themselves) the city still got sued and lost. People hate cops. Can't help that.

December 7, 2009 at 8:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

private1221 says...

Detective Williams was cleared by the FPD. I knew he would be...Thank you Dave, and THANK you to all of the members of the FPD!!!

December 8, 2009 at 11:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

99Cummins says...

Truth77777, i want you to go to the FPD and request the police report and the internal investigation report.... Had David not shot that man, two officers would have been hit by a car that was without an operator. 2 dead cops vs 1 unemployed citizen WHOM robbed a bank 1 min earlier? Ill take the citizen. He could have gotten a job to earn money the right way. We need those men in blue to protect our streets from SOBs like that man. Had that man had the parental overlook as a kid that he should have had, this wouldnt have been acceptable in his thinking process. Im 19 and my father has taught me to earn money the right way, not the easy way out. Robbing a bank has never and will never cross my mind. I work a 39hr week at Lowes making a honest paycheck.

Moral of the story... DONT BREAK THE LAW!

December 9, 2009 at 3:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Bill911 says...

I agree 99 cummings and wish more 19 year olds had your thought pattern. when he set his actions in motion its the responsiblity of the officer to assess the situation and neutralize the threat ....and he did...what if this person had gotten free and slammed into a van that was carrying innocent people and wound up killing all of them...ok...what if it was YOUR family in that vehicle!?!?!? Its easy to sit at home behind your safe computer and pass out your dribble but the bottom line is that the crime was stopped...no innocent people were hurt or injured and the officers got to go home PERIOD! Thats a acceptable to me. Good job Detective Williams! Id put boots in the mud with you any time...

December 13, 2009 at 8:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

FishFillet says...

I don't think there is enough information released yet to give readers a fair judgment about the situation. I'm sure most likely the officer did the right thing, but I think some of us want to hear the whole story to know that power or authority is not abused. Understandably, multiple levels of investigation can be both reassuring and painful, but it's necessary and required. It would be nice if there were other ways immediately available to disable the car and not the driver.

December 17, 2009 at 3:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

123qwe says...

A man is dead...there had to be another solution.

December 20, 2009 at 5:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

nancee says...

FishFillet thats so true. I can see fellow police officers having sympathy over this matter - but its just wrong to say your fellow officer is the right one - when they were not there and didn't see it and it being under investigation. I like Truth7777 comment on firing at the wheels of the car.

December 22, 2009 at 1:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

99Cummins says...

HAHA! wow you cant read.... David would be FIRED had he shot at the car... that is VERY against policy and VERY unsafe. what if the bullet ricochet off the concrete and hit the gas tank? MUCH LESS a bi-standard??? an innocent person killed from a bullet belonging in the CRIMINALS chest.

i laugh at yalls stupidity

December 29, 2009 at 1:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )