Sergeant Ron Helus at the Borderline Bar was killed by a CHP officer’s bullet – it’s not “friendly fire”
The reporter that asked the questions in this video is my friend and colleague Paul Huebl. Paul is a retired police officer, and currently a state licensed private investigator. We share some unique experiences. Both of us have been tried as Defendants in a Court of Law, for using a firearm in our own self-defense.
I have to agree with the Sherriff’s response here. Had those off duty police officers had their firearms with them, while being under the influence of alcohol; more innocent bystanders might have been killed by “friendly gunfire.” Alcohol and firearms don’t mix. Admittedly before I was a born-again Christian, I used to carry concealed while drinking inside bars and clubs. Oh how foolish I was. Only by the grace of God, so go I.
Though my prayers go out to this CHP officer, this controversy must be addressed.
Sadly today we are seeing an increase of police officers bullets striking innocent bystanders. To name just a few of the many. From the LAPD SWAT officer killing 19-month-old Suzie Pena. To the female Office Depot employee shot here in Redlands. To the recent employee at Trader Joes shot and killed by an LAPD officer, and now this case.
Though many are calling this a “tragic accident” (which it is), and that Ron Helus was killed by “friendly fire” (which he was). But let us not numb the truth with watered down adjectives. Let us all learn from this, lest we repeat them. Because blue lives matter, and citizens lives matter.
Unless we can prove that Sgt. Helus ran into the CHP officer’s line of fire, as the CHP officer was squeezing off his round(s), this was not a mere “accident.” This was a serious err, a fatal flaw, and/or negligence; either way it is inexcusable. Furthermore, a majority of news agencies are calling this “friendly fire.” There’s nothing friendly about “friendly fire.”
I’ve been in a gun battle with a handgun (a sub-compact S/W 469). Admittedly not every one of my rounds hit the suspect(s). Some of my bullets struck vehicles, and the bricks of a church building. Albeit I was certain that none of my rounds could have hit any of those innocent bystanders in that parking lot. Other wise I should not have taken those shots. But the CHP officer here was using a rifle. A long gun provides an even higher level of certainty and accuracy in acquiring the intended target in your front sight. So again, unless the undisclosed video proves that Helus ran in front of the CHP officer’s rifle barrel, this was unacceptable and inexcusable.
Recently I had lunch with a retired police officer, who carries concealed in his church. We spoke about the possibility of an active shooter inside his congregation. We both agreed that if there were any possibility that he might accidentally shoot one of his own congregants, that regardless of what the suspect might do, no shot would be worth the risk. I would rather be killed, than kill one of my own congregants.
Police officers are frequently tasked to make split second life threatening decisions. Today I still have agonizing nightmares of some of my own. But if I thought my own bullet would kill an innocent bystander, I’d rather be killed myself.
In closing to born-again Christians. Remember to pray for the safety of the officers in your city. But more importantly, pray for their salvation as you share the Gospel with them (in this video I serve the LAPD Chief of Police with an IPOC Gospel Tract).
UPDATE 12/10/18: Paul Heubl made a 2nd video revealing a possible cover-up. See other videos below.
UPDATE 12/25/18: According to Private Investigator Paul Huebl many of the off duty cops that were patronizing this bar were in fact armed, but they chose to run rather than engage the gunman. You might have heard of the “fight or flight syndrome” when being confronted by evil. These armed off duty police officers chose “flight” over the “fight.” Paul spoke to me about this on the phone, and was contemplating whether he should share this info with the public, he has chosen to do so. This update is in the third video below.
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About The Author
Bill Rhetts
An ordinary sinner saved by an Extraordinary Savior. Radically saved, and radically changed, by a Radical God. For more details, see the above 'About me' tab.
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According to Article 20, Section 3 of the California Constitution (below), California Police officers are sworn-in to ‘keep an oath’ that they will defend our constitution and citizenry from all enemies both foreign and domestic. That grand duty and responsibility does not stop at the timeclock when they’re clocking out.
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There’s a reason why police officers in California are given “peace officer powers” 24/7. There’s a reason why they are given a badge, ID card, and a gun to carry off duty. Though some police departments have different policies regarding off duty awareness and responsibilities; they still have a moral, legal, and ethical responsibility to take an appropriate action in situations like this. To choose flight rather than to fight is immoral, unethical, civilly litigious, cowardly, and is a violation of that oath which they swore to keep.
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According the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics (below) a police officer is expected to, and agrees “to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equality and justice. I WILL keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others.”
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Therefore if these off duty police officers truly ran away, then I cannot support, nor make excuses for them. Sometimes a bad decision is better than no decision at all. The LORD abhors the sin of cowardness. In Revelation 21:8 He lists the cowardly (or fearful) in the same category as the sexual immoral, drug users (sorcerers), liars, and murderers.
The off duty cops that fled, need to be appropriately disciplined. Furthermore, perhaps the CHP officer should be terminated and prosecuted for involuntary manslaughter (killing another cop is inexcusable and unacceptable).
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And lastly, I’m going to say what your police chaplains will not say. Repent and believe in the Gospel, trust in Christ for your salvation, otherwise you will perish in hell. Every one of you (including me) have sinned against a Holy God, and hell is waiting, that is why you must be born again. Flee from the bar scene, they’re nothing but trouble. You may have put your uniform on this morning, but a mortician may remove it tonight. Are you ready to meet your Maker? Are you born again? Are you still practicing lawlessness (sin), or are you a born-again bond slave to Christ? For more about salvation and eternal life, please read my Gospel tract here https://www.theexpositor.tv/the-glorious-gospel/
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PEACE OFFICER OATH OF OFFICE, State of California
” I, ___________________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter.”
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Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
“AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equality and justice.
I WILL keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.
I WILL never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.
I RECOGNIZE the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the police service. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God [1] to my chosen profession…law enforcement.”
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Paul Hubel interviews Sheriff’s Candidate Bruce Boyer (No I am not endorsing him)