Report: Suspect shot to death in patrol car was not in handcuffs

I believe the Trooper did indeed fight to protect his life and should not be charged with any wrong doing at all.Many times a drunk can act dossal then turn right around and be very abusive.

Im surprised he had the restraint to only fire 3 shots, if a man was trying to gut me with a box cutter I would have prob emptied a clip into him. This trooper did nothing wrong what so ever, id say his training saved his life.

Its a shame that all of this had to happen. You say his training saved his life, which I partly agree with.But, I would think that he neglected part of his training which ended up causing the man to die. Granted the man caused the problem to begin with, but if the guy had been cuffed and properly searched he would not have been able to almost kill the trooper and end up getting himself killed. But I guess we are minus one more skell. I hope that they utilize this cop's mistakes as a learning lesson in their academy.

Why doesn't highway patrol cars have the cages to separate the front and back. This might save someone's life sometime.

The whole time I read this article I was thinking the same thing. I watch Cops and they routinely put someone in the back while questioning other witnesses etc. Don't all cop cars have that? This is the second occassion I've read something like this in Asheville area.

It is my understanding that Highway Patrol cars do not have the cages in them. I think that after this incident, there is a push to get them. Maybe we can use the money that was supose to go to the governor's wife and start putting cages in the cars to protect our HP troopers.

Why is always okay when a cop kills a suspect,but when the opposite happens it's the greatest tragedy ever ? Do these people mean any less in God's eyes ? Sure they have commited crimes against humanity,but so have plenty of cops ! Oh yeah,if any wise guy thinks they can intimidate me with a bunch of words about my opinion I'm a 6'4" 230 pound hillbilly from the Georgia Mountains.

Georgia Native wrote:

Why is always okay when a cop kills a suspect,but when the opposite happens it's the greatest tragedy ever ? Do these people mean any less in God's eyes ? Sure they have commited crimes against humanity,but so have plenty of cops ! Oh yeah,if any wise guy thinks they can intimidate me with a bunch of words about my opinion I'm a 6'4" 230 pound hillbilly from the Georgia Mountains.

And I'm a retired Force-Recon Marine with 273 confirmed kills, 50% from hand-to-hand combat. I love internet tough guys.

You're a moron. He deserved to die for his actions. He went at someone with a razor blade. Trooper Blanton did not deserve to die for doing his job. He was keeping the public safe and some sh*tbag that didn't want to go to jail shot him. If you can't see the difference in these cases then you might need some professional help.

Way to tell it like it is Fed Up-Ch. You have my vote.

Sorry that I didn't get back to you sooner,Fed Up-CH. I was busy reading about the deputy sheriff who raped a woman then held her against her will last night in Cobb County,GA(check it out on WSB-TV.com in Atlanta.) I'm sure that there are many good law officers and soldiers out there. No sane person wants to see anyone murdered like Officer Blanton was.A very good friend of mine is 85 years old and fought in World War 2,but he never has bragged to me about having to kill people,then again he's not a nut case like you ! Let me guess,you probably voted for Bush twice right ? We could go on and on about who's tougher,but the bottom line is guys like you don't scare me at all and you never will.

Geez, a dose of testosterone anyone? Who gives a rip who's tougher?

Carolinakat wrote:

It is my understanding that Highway Patrol cars do not have the cages in them. I think that after this incident, there is a push to get them. Maybe we can use the money that was supose to go to the governor's wife and start putting cages in the cars to protect our HP troopers.

It's not a money issue. The cages are detrimental in appearance and image the NCSHP likes to project.

Georgia Native wrote:

Sorry that I didn't get back to you sooner,Fed Up-CH. I was busy reading about the deputy sheriff who raped a woman then held her against her will last night in Cobb County,GA(check it out on WSB-TV.com in Atlanta.) I'm sure that there are many good law officers and soldiers out there. No sane person wants to see anyone murdered like Officer Blanton was.A very good friend of mine is 85 years old and fought in World War 2,but he never has bragged to me about having to kill people,then again he's not a nut case like you ! Let me guess,you probably voted for Bush twice right ? We could go on and on about who's tougher,but the bottom line is guys like you don't scare me at all and you never will.

The Force Recon comment was a sarcastic remark to your "I'm a 6'4" 230 pound Georgia Hillbilly, I ain't scared of no one" nonsense. Basically, who gives a rat's a*s how big you are? It's the internet and anyone can say whatever they want about themselves. It doesn't make it true. I was never a Force Recon Marine, and I don't believe you are as tough as you say you are.

I'll never be frightened by anyone over the internet, either. Your question comparing the 2 scenarios is ridiculous. If what the Cobb County Deputy did is true, I hope he's punished severely.

I don't like seeing anyone killed, but I will not lose any sleep over someone that attacks a police officer with deadly force and is killed while doing it. I'm glad the Trooper was able to defend himself. Unfortunately, Trooper Blanton did not have the time to save his own life.

I have no idea how President Bush made his way into this conversation, but you Bush bashers have obviously found a way to do it.

sweetpea wrote:

Way to tell it like it is Fed Up-Ch. You have my vote.

Mine too!! I loved it!

NCbred-FL accidental wrote:

The whole time I read this article I was thinking the same thing. I watch Cops and they routinely put someone in the back while questioning other witnesses etc. Don't all cop cars have that? This is the second occassion I've read something like this in Asheville area.

Police cars have the cages, highway patrol cars in NC do not have them.

Georgia Native wrote:

Dude you really have some issues if you honestly cant tell the difference between an officer and a crook, In God's Eyes maybe not, but when someone is slashing at your face with a razor I bet you don't care what God thinks about them.

Carolinakat wrote:

It is my understanding that Highway Patrol cars do not have the cages in them. I think that after this incident, there is a push to get them. Maybe we can use the money that was supose to go to the governor's wife and start putting cages in the cars to protect our HP troopers.

I agree. In this day and age, the SHP officer don't need to be put in no more danger than what they already face. Put the perp in the back behind a cage.

Keith retired Gun-bunny wrote:

<quoted text> I agree. In this day and age, the SHP officer don't need to be put in no more danger than what they already face. Put the perp in the back behind a cage.

Good morning Keith. I guess your "day" is about over, mine is about to start. Have a good one.

Carolinakat wrote:

<quoted text>
Good morning Keith. I guess your "day" is about over, mine is about to start. Have a good one.

Yeah, gots about an hour, that is if my relief shows. LOL. You have a terrific day.