Firefighter aims to shoot cow, hits firefighter instead
Reports say that the two firefighters were responding to a report of an injured cow in a road when the accident happened
By EMS1 Staff
TALLADEGA COUNTY, Ala. — A firefighter attempting to shoot a charging cow accidentally shot a fellow firefighter.
The Daily Home reported that the two firefighters were responding to a report of an injured cow in a road Wednesday night when the accident happened.
When the animal became agitated and attempted to charge at one of the firefighters, the firefighter pulled a handgun and aimed a shot at the cow.
The injured firefighter was transported to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
Police said no charges will be filed.
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Jake Stein Monday, February 18, 2013 12:36:57 PM Anyone want to start an argument abot FFs and EMS personnel carrying personal weapons? Get excited and your aim can go very wrong. 
Paul Edward Morris Monday, February 18, 2013 4:46:41 PM Now here we go with all those stupid gungrabbing liberals. They are going to exploit the hell out of this One. Saying " See I told you so "..... Just watch.... this will make National News, and the outcries will be " HEARD " throughout the entire land. This is well COWculated. This is no BULL. 
Dakota Cortez Wednesday, February 20, 2013 11:59:44 AM Not at all, you can have a gun if you're off duty sure. But when acting as a firefighter responding to an emergency there is no excuse for a gun to be in your possession. A gun has no place in the fire service unless you're the fire marshal. That subtle difference plays a big role when on scene of violent crimes and with people who give the cops extremely hard times but as not as much, we aren't cops and the less distinction we make there the more we open ourselves up to violence against us. There's a reason we stage away from the scene until it's safe from PD after all or request PD and leave if something does happen and come back later. We aren't there to be vigilantes, we aren't cops, there's no reason for that gun to be on scene if they were acting in an official capacity. Paul Edward Morris Monday, February 18, 2013 4:54:00 PM BTW: I grew up on a Family Farm with lots of Cows, and Bulls. I have never felt like I needed a Handgun to control an out-of-control Bovine. I just made sure I had a long 2 X 4 handy. I guarantee you the First Time you break a 2 X 4 over the Head of a charging member of the Heard they will respect you a herck-load more in the future, and maybe even become your bestest of Friends. Yes after the bleeding stops. Just so you guys know.... I love Cows much much more than any stupid brain-dead liberal gungrabbing democrat in any corner of the World. They are smarter, and have much more love to give.... 
Ed Hillenbrand Thursday, February 21, 2013 5:51:21 AM I love cows too! Medium rare with a nice ale or maybe even a sweet porter. ; )
Nancy Belycia Monday, February 18, 2013 4:55:02 PM What happened to the poor cow. He was injured and probably frightened. I really hope the cow was okay and the firefighter too. Paul Edward Morris Monday, February 18, 2013 5:00:22 PM Nancy.... Thank you for bringing that up. My Heavens.... Why .... how errant of me. I too hope the Cow is OKIES. She sure was frightened. I would have taken off all my PPEs, and Bunkers. I would have parked the rigs a fair distance away so the Engine sounds would not disturb her. I would turn down all radio traffic ( First notifying Dispatch ) Poor thing.... One should also go slowly, and use loving inside voices.... Paul Edward Morris Monday, February 18, 2013 5:04:23 PM Thinking the Department needs not punish in any way the FF for packing a Handgun. They should instead require him to complete an authorized NRA Certified Shooting course. With a Certificate of completion Certificate. Also, make very sure that he obtain a valid Licence to carry.... Again no punishment whatsoever, or charges levied. UNLESS he is a felon, or has had Psych Issues.... 
Sandie DeMarr Hargrave Monday, February 18, 2013 5:24:42 PM Paul Edward Morris just get a bucket and she will come to you! Paul Edward Morris Monday, February 18, 2013 6:07:56 PM Sandie. This is wonderful.... I agree.... I used to walk around with the Cow's special blend of Food in a Bucket. All they needed to do is get a whiff and they would follow me anywhere. This should be standard on all Fire rigs.... Again Sandie.... Just a wonderful Idea... 
Elizabeth Miller Wednesday, February 20, 2013 8:00:41 AM No punishment for shooting his partner? Because the partner will punish him on the side, I'm sure. Jake Stein Monday, February 25, 2013 4:56:20 PM Paul Edward Morris
If he broke the rules of his employer, fired. He discharged his weapon in public without regard for the safety of others, jail.
Buddy Mcleod Monday, February 18, 2013 6:01:58 PM It wasn't a paid dept it was a Volunteer FD 
Lesa Gonzalez Tuesday, February 19, 2013 9:19:29 PM OH! Then it is ok to shoot your fellow FF. (snicker)
Elizabeth Faust Tuesday, February 19, 2013 11:33:46 AM Solo many things hilariously wrong about this. Lawrence A. Hitze Dakota Cortez Tuesday, February 19, 2013 9:34:41 PM Why isn't the title "firefighter responds to call with gun"? 
Melinda Teaster Williams Wednesday, February 20, 2013 4:58:20 AM Ok first I have to ask why would the Firefighter be carring a gun while on a call?, 2nd why would you shot at anything without knowing were your partner is? Seems like Common Sense was left at the station. 
Ed Hillenbrand Thursday, February 21, 2013 5:49:57 AM Sounds like a Walking Dead trailer. BRAAAAIIIIIINSSSSS! 
Velvet Scheidler Thursday, February 21, 2013 7:42:00 AM LMAO that's awesome. Glad ff wasnt injured too bad. shooter needs a little one on one target time with his weapon. 
Alice Lewis Friday, February 22, 2013 2:17:12 PM Stupid. There should be no firearm on any firefighter when on duty and responding to a situation. Why not stage? Why not get back in the truck and have dispatch try and contact an owner. Call for additional appropriate backup. More important the rule never shot a gun unless you know your target and surroundings. Send this guy back to basic training and some firearm training as well. No reason this should of happened. Jake Stein Tuesday, February 26, 2013 8:54:07 AM @Paul Edward Morris.
The NRA cert is a mere recreational shooting training course. It in no way prepares you to use deadly force to kill someone. The training police officers goes through is much more rigorous and it teaches them to make critical decisions in a split second concerning life and death. Those with an NRA cert might be qualified to kill a rabbit which doesn't shot back but they are not qualified to do law enforcement. If you carry a gun on the job, then you have to expect to use deadly force. That also means not killing your partner or an innocent bystander in the process. Poor judgement here and this guy's future as a FF needs to be examined plus whatever charges from discharging a weapon with reckless disregard for the safety of the public. He should not be given a get out of jail free pass just because he is a FF. Any other citizen would have been arrested and sentenced quickly. 
