Grenade!
So another officer and I were working traffic over near Hartville tonight. He initiated a stop on a car that looked to be good for dope. Before exiting the car, we observed him for a minute while waiting o get the info on his license plate. The male subject looked extremely nervous. He was looking around constantly and kept looking back towards us while his hand seemed to stay busy in the vehicle. As officer #2 made contact with the driver, I approached on the passenger side to observe for any signs of weapons or drugs. I hit the passenger side with my light and could see a gas mask sitting in the seat along with some camos. I could plainly see the driver was no in the military due to his clothing and hair. While #2 was talking to him, I moved my focus away from the odd gas mask to his center console. That's when my heart skipped. Sitting right beside the driver, in a cup holder was a 100% real grenade, pin still intact. I immediately took a step back, drew out my sidearm, leveling at the driver's chest and yelled to my partner "Grenade!" After hearing me, #2 looked over and could see I had my firearm out. He quickly took about five steps back, putting him behind the driver, and put his crosshairs right on the driver's head, as that was all he could see. We began ordering the subject out of the car and to keep his hands up and in sight. #2 could not see much, but I was able to see every move the driver made. He at first kept his hands on the wheel and was trying to tell us it was a dummy. After a few seconds, he could see we were not interested in taking his word for it and calmly stepped out of the car, grinning from ear to ear. He kept his hands up and did exactly what we said. After securing him, I cautiously reached into the console and gently lifted up the grenade to turn it over. I let out a big sigh as there was a hole drilled in the bottom and it was completely harmless.
He was a sixteen year old kid that very easily could have lost his life. Even with him saying it was a dummy, if he had reached for it, I would have had no choice but to shoot. The kid was not in trouble, as it's not against the law to have a dummy grenade. I'm just glad it was. Hopefully next time he'll think twice about having it with him. He said he had just came from the surplus store. He thought the grenade was neat, had always wanted a gas mask, and bought the camos for when he and his friends go paintballing.
Oh the things I get into.
He was a sixteen year old kid that very easily could have lost his life. Even with him saying it was a dummy, if he had reached for it, I would have had no choice but to shoot. The kid was not in trouble, as it's not against the law to have a dummy grenade. I'm just glad it was. Hopefully next time he'll think twice about having it with him. He said he had just came from the surplus store. He thought the grenade was neat, had always wanted a gas mask, and bought the camos for when he and his friends go paintballing.
Oh the things I get into.
09:33, February 29, 2008 . Publisehd by Cakemaker
Sometimes your job really worries me. They don't pay nearly enough for a grenade scare!!10:17, February 29, 2008 . Publisehd by IJK
I am glad my life is no longer that exciting.Cheerily
IJK
23:57, February 29, 2008 . Publisehd by Karen
What a scare!!!!! I have a feeling I would have had to go home and change clothes after that stop.12:58, March 1, 2008 . Publisehd by Jan
It's funny NOW but I bet it wasn't one bit funny at the time!! Glad it was a fake..