Okay, so my wife and I both work at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. We work the same hours so we ride together. It's a 26 mile drive and there is quite a bit of open country between where we live and Memphis, TN. We were on a stretch of southbound Hwy 51 in the middle of nowhere when we saw a man on the shoulder of the northbound lanes staggering like he was hurt. People were just driving by him. We knew we had to stop, but there was no way to safely stop where we were, so we sped up, made it to the next turn-around, which was around a mile away and then sped back to where he was. In that time not one person had stopped to see if he needed help. By the time we got back to the guy he was on the ground. I got out, ran to him and asked him if he needed help. This guy was between 60 and 70 years old. He said his car had recently been repossessed and he had been walking to a Marathon station a few miles up the road where some people he knew were going to give him a ride. He said he was a diabetic and I could see he was in pretty bad shape. He had fallen and hurt his leg and couldn't get back up. He also said that he had lost his cell phone when he fell, so I looked where the grass was flattened where he fell but couldn't find it. I had my wife back the car up and we loaded him in the back seat and drove him to the Marathon station. He sure needed a shower but he hadn't been drinking, which to be honest was my first thought. When we got to the station I helped him out of the car and asked if he needed me to buy him anything to eat or drink and he said no. I helped him to the door and he shook my hand and thanked me. I just can't believe no-one else stopped to help when it was obvious this man was in distress. I understand that in this day and age it can be risky, but sometimes you take the risk when someone appears to be in trouble.
Brother I understand your point but at the same time I have to ask do you realize how much you put your wife at risk? Im glad there are great people out there like you and your wife but there are just as many not so great people. I know its wrong to think that way but Im sorry my family is my priority. Anybody that knows me knows that I will help anybody I can but not at the expense of my family. Thank you for what you did. Just please becareful.
I agree, good on you for stopping and helping. Out of safety concerns, I do not do that when my wife or kids are with me. I make an exception if it is a family with kids in trouble.
Believe me guys, I didn't put my wife at risk. I thought about exactly what you're saying we were headed back. My wife was actually the one driving. I had her pass the guy and pull over with him about 30 yards behind the vehicle. Before we even stopped I told her to keep it in drive and be ready to hit the gas if something went wrong. I was wary and my plan would have given me an escape opportunity had the need arisen. I'm a nice fellow but I'm no idiot.
While I was in Vegas there was a man floating in one of the pools in front of a casino. The kind of pool behind a gate with the fountains in it, etc. As we were walking by there were people standing there just taking pictures of him... A friend and I jumped the fence, got in the pool and drug the man out. He was homeless and was in a bad state (not exactly sure what he was on). He talked about suicide and then started to act crazy... Luckily once things escalated security and paramedics were just pulling up. Glad you decided to come to the mans aid.
People need help. We can't always shy away from helping someone based on the small element of danger that lurks. Good work LC! Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
You think I'm out on my off days helping people while wearing my badge and gun? I hardly ever take my gun out and certainly don't announce what I do to strangers. And I've always helped a lot of people even before I was a cop. Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Not my point not meant to offend but you are trained to deal with that kind of stuff. I am all for helping those that need help. An example a couple years ago on a cold fall day while working fire me and my engine crew helped 2 young ladies that were adrift in a paddle boat, They were hypothermic when they reached shore and we gave them a ride home, while it was cramped in the crew cab I would not have driven those young ladies home with just me in the cab, you have to be mindful in this day and age.
My career is dealing with situations like this (fireman). If I was driving on the highway in my personal car I would not stop. I’d call 911, but I’m not stopping. While working you have all your personal protection equipment, radio communication and a crew with you, plus EMS supplies. Driving down the highway in my car? I’ve watched enough forensic files episodes to know that’s not a good idea. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
As a side note, a man down in one thing. But a man staggering down the highway? I’ll pass. My area has an incredible drug problem, multiple truck stops with criminal activity and plenty of random violence and crime, no need to introduce yourself to those situations without proper training/equipment. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Memphis, TN can be and is a tough, dangerous city. Had this been in the actual city my reaction would surely have been different. This occurred miles outside town in a rural area. No buildings anywhere close, not much of a shoulder on the 4 lane highway and in a fairly dangerous location (traffic wise) to be a pedestrian. This guy was obviously hurt and in distress. Is it possible that it could have been an act to try to get someone to stop? Sure, it could have been. Still, I tend to trust my instincts and when we drove back by him my instincts told me he needed help. This time I was right. If there is a next time I might end up wrong and pay for it, but my conscience won't let me abandon compassion because I'm afraid of what might happen. As I said, I trust my instincts and if I feel the situation isn't right I can always just call for help.
Feel that pic is fitting from what everyone is saying and figured add little humor. As far as helping ppl. I really have no problem stopping. Like chief said above, I trust my instincts and myself enough that if something feels off I'll pass or call someone else. But every situation is different. Seein what some others have said tho I'm glad I live where I do that I don't haveta constantly second guess ppls motives, hell I've lived in house do now for close to 25 years and have never once locked any doors regardless if I'm home or not and don't think owned a vehicle I take the keys out of. That's not just me either, that's the majority of people who live around. We've had few weirdos come around but 9 out of 10 times if someone is walking up to your house or down the road you'll know who they are once you stop. But idk maybe if had a family to worry bout would have different mindset toward ppl. Either way sounds like this time was a win and a good deed. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
About 10 years ago, I was driving through the Utah desert on 191 from Moab south to Arizona heading towards the Grand Canyon with my then girlfriend. It was about 1am, and I pass through a little 1 yellow flashing light town and about 5 miles later I'm in the middle of nowhere with stars so bright they cast shadows. Out of said shadows into my headlights comes what to this day is the weirdest thing I've ever seen in my life- a man, approximately 6'7" and maybe 150lbs; big black bushy beard, and what I can only describe as a Tommy Chong afro, completely buck naked jumps out into the road in front of me and starts doing what looked like jumping jacks trying to flag me down. I did have my sidearm, but there was no way I was stopping in that situation. I couldn't get a cell phone signal for several miles, and when I finally did the 911 operator A) didn't believe me and B) had a really hard time figuring out where I was b/c I wasn't entirely sure where I was. Then she asked me to go back and call again so she could figure out which police department to send. I told her that the whole reason I didn't call at about that location was because I didn't have a signal, and also she was out of her goddamned mind if she thought I was going back to find a naked guy in the middle of the desert. Most bizarre experience of my life.
