[rontammy0]

Originally Posted by Royal Tiger

It was one of those calls you just know isn't going to go well. I heard them dispatch 2 cars (2 officers - we rarely double cars) to a "mental patient" (bad sign already) call. Guy calls 9-1-1 and tells the dispatcher he is off his meds, is going to do something "stupid" (yes, exact quote) and then begins to become belligerent and tells her "F you, F everyone" and then hangs up. Doesn't answer on call back. I go and am the first one there (guys love it when the Captain is out on the street working and I try to as much as possible - I hate being in the office). I walk up the steps of this row home which has been converted into 2 apartments like many in the city. Of course he is second floor, so I walk up this narrow stairway and the door is on a tiny landing with no cover. Great. It gets worse as I grab the railing and lean forward to hit the bottom of the door while staying on the steps and it breaks and I almost smack my face on the landing. I step up onto the landing, hit the door, and go back down a few steps so I'm level with maybe the bottom 1/3 of the door (always a good idea as most people, even knowing there are steps, still shoot chest high through the door). I hear the first officer walking up the steps. The door opens, the guy peeks out, and then closes and locks the door. Great, this is going to be a PITA. I step up again and the door opens again. I push on the door and he walks away and around the corner into a kitchen. I ask him what's going on, how are you feeling, the normal stuff on this kind of call. The other officer comes up behind me and the 3rd we hear comes running up the steps. This freaks out our new friend who proceeds to open a drawer and pull out a knife that has to be 10 inches long at least. I immediately draw my .40cal SIG P229 as does the 2nd officer who later I realize had he shot from right next to my head (these old row homes are narrow!) I'd probably be close to deaf in that ear for hours. I yell drop the knife like 3 or 4 times and he has that lost look in his eyes, then drops it in the drawer and backs up. He listens to my get on your knees commands and the 2nd guy handcuffs him. We take him to the hospital for a psych eval and he thanks us over and over for not shooting him or roughing him up. He wasn't a bad guy, he just stop taking his meds and starting drinking, which just puts you more off balance. Oh well, another Friday evening in the city.

Meds and alcohol just dont mix....mental health is at the forefront and im amazed at how many people suffer from it