aside from all the political statements, this liberal will pray for the family of this probably young cop. This is a devastation to this family.

This is the second time a cops gun has been used in a crime. Just a few days ago a gun was stolen from a deputy to be used on the deputy and now this. This post did not state that the police officer was male or female. We need to take responsibilty for our actions whether we are police or not. We need to be more aware of what we do and we need to take care of our children. Too many times I have seen children left in running cars. I do call the cops.

Same thing happen where I live..but in a home not a vehicle. Child shot sister in head with dad's gun sister died..dad was a police officer..go figure!

Knock knock..a trigger lock don't cost much..or a metal box with a pad lock on it!

The sad fact is this isn't the first time this has happened to a police officer. You would THINK officers would learn from the mistakes of other officers, wouldn't you? There was a child shot by another in the home of an officer, not that long ago, in Indiana. One moment of carelessness, and they lost their child; now that family will suffer the rest of their lives.

I wonder will this cop face the same charges and punishment as the parents if the 9 year old that shot a classmate http://www.newjustice.net/blog/2012/03/08/nine-year-old-involved-in-school-shooting-sentenced-to-probation/

Of course, I already know the answer to this.

Danny-2923627,

aside from all the political statements, this liberal will pray for the family of this probably young cop. This is a devastation to this family.

I needed to read your comment, it helps restore my faith in people. Thanks for not being one of those who jumps into instant judgement. We need more people like you. Bless you, sir. This conservative will also pray for that family, and for good folks like you.

God. What an awful thing to happen to anyone.

Can't imagine what they must be going through. Losing one's child is bad enough but to know that it was your mistake that caused it must be like living hell.

May god give them the strength to deal with it.

leprechaun,

does not matter, the law is the law and it must be applied equally under almost all circumstances. This was negligent homicide.

Show some sympathy for them. No need to charge the cop with anything, he's got enough to deal with already.

Requiescat in pace, little girl...

I'm stunned at the number of people berating this policeman/woman. My guess is the horror they are living through right now is enough punishment. To the person who thought they probably would not be punished like the parents of the 9 year old who took a gun to school and shot a child - different situation. Their child shot SOMEONE ELSE'S child so there had to be some kind of punishment. This parent is already being punished by losing their own child. Grow up and stop hating so much!

Outside of what his dept. and the legal system do to him, he will pay every day for the rest of his life. He will never forget the sound, sight, smell of his daughter dying at the hands of his other child with the weapon he left laying around. He will see it happen in his dreams, he will be reminded countless times throughout the day, he will suffer the kind of pain only a parent can. His younger child will suffer, too, will be pursued throughout life with the growing realization of what happened to big sis and why and lose a child's innocence with the experience of guilt. Dad will feel responsible for that pain as well. His marriage may dissolve. After such distress, formal charges are nothing. I am so sorry for this family.

My heart bleeds for this family. They will need a lot of love and forgiveness to get through this horrible accident. It should n't have happened.........but it did.

There's a definite sadness in the headline of the story. No need to read any further......so sad!

A need to ban handguns?

He was a police officer. All though he did a number of things wrong, a handgun comes with he job.

No need to ban handguns, ban stupid people that have them.

"I'm stunned at the number of people berating this policeman/woman"

Well, perhaps you admire stupidity, but I don't. Leaving a loaded gun around children is stupid, lethal, and tragic. He/She is responsible for a death.

just tell me , it ain't so .

SeekingSanity:

I understand what you are saying but unfortunately the law is the law. What the officer did was very foolish. Yes, the family will pay, emotionally, for the rest of their lives. But there is a very good possibility that the officer could be charged for it. But then, you never know. Prayers are what the family needs more than anything...

takenaka.......................no. it's not time to ban handguns. Should we ban stupidity??

A cop and he isn't even aware of basic gun safety procedures like never leave a loaded gun where children can get a hold of it.

How about teaching your kids that a gun isn't a GODDAMN TOY? My father was a police officer for 20 years. And when he came home on break, he put his gun on the stairs to the second floor, three steps up. My sister and I never once shot each other. Because he taught us that GUNS aren't a GODDAMN TOY. We knew better than to touch it. We weren't taught to be afraid of the gun like most kids seem to be. But rather we were taught to be afraid of him if we touched it.

Again, rule number one of gun safety is - IT'S NOT A GODDAMN TOY!

the law is the law and a child is dead due to actions of the father. by law it is as if he shot that child dead cold. if it was anyone but a cop . the one responsible would already be behind bars

Thomas, it is nice your father taught you that, but you all are lucky you weren't curious enough to go play with it anyway. None of us have any idea if that officer taught his/her kids not to touch it and they did anyway or not. You father shouldn't have left his gun out where you kids could reach it any more than that parent. Your father just got lucky. I am not saying he wasn't a loving and wonderful man of course since I have no clue. Kids explore and disobey and get all curious, try to show off, get angry, and use bad judgement. That is why they hopefully have parents who have enough sense to lock up the guns and keep them unloaded if they decide to have one in the house.

I have a child who would never touch something I said not to, but I also have one who seriously has to touch everything, take things apart, investigate every.single.thing, and frankly even consequences don't impress her terribly when she sees things that make her wonder....now if I just opened that once.... She is smart, funny, loving, and caring, but has little impulse control at this point for "shiny objects". I wouldn't leave a gun out even if I had the one child who "always" leaves things alone because all it takes is one time. With my other child in the mix it's we're just trying to keep her alive and her sister and the house intact until she's an adult..lol.

I am happy you guys didn't get hurt, and really we don't know what the whole situation was with this family, but leaving a gun on a step in a house with kids is asking for trouble no matter what you tell them about it.

FU@#, a serious mistake and a young child is dead.

Thoughts to the family......

We don't know why the children were left alone in the van. Perhaps he/she was assisting someone in trouble, perhaps he/she was be stupid. Either way their child is gone. My heart and prayers to their family. Hopefully something has been learned by more than this one family.

the devil 1138528,

That's a really good point. Neither of these kids should be charged.

I felt so sorry for the kid that dropped his backpack, that had a loaded gun in it, and shot his classmate, accidentally. When I saw pictures of him in court, he looked so sad and confused. I feel for this little girl also. Tragedy for everyone involved.

I'm sorry, I read your comment too quickly, you were talking about the parents. You're right, what's good for one is good for the other. I do agree with the others who said this guy will kick himself til his last breath.

My 2nd paragraph above still stands though, horrible for everyone involved, the kids especially, all 4 of them. The parents who goofed up.

Carolanne1. I usually never agree with anything you say, but your assessment of the children killed in the United States or the children killed by American citizens in war. We are definitely a killing machine of the living breathing child.

The child killed was 7 and the article a young sibling held the gun. The father and mother should be held for child neglect and death.

SWilliams,

You said it more eloquently and accurately than I ever could have.

NYMike, I agree this is horribly painful. My first instinct is to come down pretty hard on the policeman. Then I remember, I have screwed up many, many times. Fortunately, nothing this tragic ever came of my mistakes.

I think people today are so busy and preoccupied they don't always think. Like the parents in the summer who forget their baby or toddler is in a car-seat in the back seat of the car, and the child dies in an overheated car. I always get pretty angry when I hear those stories, but again, we all make mistakes, some of them are huge. However, the pain these moms and dads go through is unimaginable I would guess.

To know you ended your child's life, and with such suffering! They don't need me spouting off and telling them they're stupid, or idiots. The parents are calling themselves much worse.

I think they deserve some compassion and empathy. It wasn't deliberate. Look at all the times a parent will leave a fence around a swimming pool unlocked and a child drowns. Almost anything can happen. You would think they would be more careful, but who am I to judge?

The Devil-1138528,The answer is no.

You or I do it that is breaking the law,a cop does it and it is a tragedy.

Just goes to show that it does not matter how much training someone is given you cannot teach common sense.

takenaka

A need to ban handguns?

Um what part of he was a Police Officer did you miss? You want to disarm them too? If you want an unarmed Police Force, move to England. You sir, show no sympathy at all in any of your posts, just the same stale message, ban handguns. hate to tell you but it isn't going to happen anytime soon.

Aside from that, my prayers and sympathies to the family. There is no more tragic a loss than the loss of a child!

Not all cops should be allowed to carry guns,simple as that.

I keep reading the article and find nowhere in there that it was a MALE police officer. The gender gaps in this country are getting ridiculous. Do I feel sorry for the family, yes, am I ready to condemn them without all the facts, given they don't even give the gender of the police officer, no. The story explicitly states the parents weren't far away from the vehicle at the time of the accident and yet most of the comments I'm reading have made it seem like they were in the store for hours. They were just off the high way lets see what could the be doing that warrants leaving kids in the car? Filling up on Gas anyone? Helping out a troubled vehicle on the side of the road anyone? This cop has to live with this for the rest of their lives I would ask save the condemning for the police department that's going to have to punish one of their own.

Takenaka - This is unbelievable! This would be the third time in 2 weeks you've made the comment that handguns need to be banned! And yet the same message you receive back is never processed in your mind!

Banning any weapon does nothing to prevent criminals using them. It simply restricts law abiding citizens from using them for defense.

Here you are wanting to ban handguns once again, and this time its a POLICE OFFICER that was at fault. Do you not get that banning a handgun does not solve the problem?

Sheesh.

a terrible heart breaking tragedy, trigger locks s/b the Law for All Guns stored or left alone.......

My deepest sympathies to the family - What a terrible tragedy. Thomas Paine-784713 - Amen. Guns are not toys. I would not allow my son to have a toy gun until he was 6 or 7 yrs old and everyone knew not to give him one as a present. We taught him the why's and wherefore's. When he was old enough to handle a real gun responsibly (16yrs) he took gun & hunting safety classes 1st. He is now a Marine, the best shot in his platoon, and will be the 1st to agree if you want a gun you need to buy a gun safe 1st.

I feel for the innocent members of this family. I feel nothing but contempt for this cop or anyone else that leaves a gun where a child can get it. He/ahe should be made to sit in a prison cell for many years thinking about how stupid he/she was.

Feeling bad about the outcome is not enough punishment in this situation.

If I was to be flipping a loaded gun around in a movie theater and it went off and killed someone, I would feel terrible. Does that mean I should not be charged with anything because I feel terrible.

Who cares why they were out of the car. That is not the problem. The problem was leaving children in a car with a loaded gun.

First mistake: Children are not supposed to be left alone in the car. Second mistake: Guns are supposed to be kept locked up except when in use by the adult. Apparently the light bulbs were completely out in this officers clueless head. City and police dept. officials need to stop making excuses for such criminal negligence. Put the officer in jail for abusive negligence with his children that resulted in the death of one of them. If you can't take full responsibility of your gun around children, then you have no business of ever having one.

I feel for the family, but I can't help but wonder. So, not only was a loaded gun in the car, but the safety was off? Or did the younger sibling already know how to release the safety?

If the loaded gun was in the car and the safety off, my god, what guilt he must have now!

rrobeson. Not all handguns have a safety, in fact many don't. Smith & Wesson's MP (military & police) series weapons are available with or without a safety. Beretta, Glock, Sig Sauer, all make handguns without a safety. The weapon is for people who know what they are doing, and underline "Know what they are doing". And no, accidents do not happen. Stupidity happens. This Police Officer broke every rule in the book concerning a handgun, and a child is now dead.

Are legal charges pending in this matter? They should be.

I
buried a child. I know what it feels like to stand at that grave and watch the
tiny casket be lowered down into it. My child did not die from violence but it
makes no difference how your child dies. It is the worst grief in the world.
That cop IS STUPID. I agree with that. The child who picked up the gun was most
likely 4 years old or younger. The age of reason is 7 years old which is how
old the older girl who died was. It is not possible to reason with a child
under the age of seven -which is why it is called the age of reason. I have a
degree in Cognitive Development and how a child's brain learns and grows. This
accident (which it was) was totally preventable. Why was a loaded gun out
where a child could reach it in the car? Why not in the glove box? Why on
earth would BOTH parents leave two children age 7 and under in the car
alone for even a second- let alone by the side of the road? I am sure these
parents are grieving their child and I know how that feels but added to that
they have guilt as the entire incident was both of their faults. They
should be punished to the full extent of the law - BOTH of them as they both
knew the gun was in the car and they both knew the children were by the
side of the road and they BOTH got out of the car for NO GOOD REASON -
as there is NO GOOD REASON to leave two children by the side of the road
with a loaded gun in plain sight. Child Endangerment is the perfect fit for
this crime- and a CRIME it was by BOTH parents.

What
an awful thing for the little one who just picked up the gun and had no idea
what would happen next. That child will need years of counseling - even if the
child was only 3 - we do not know the child's age - only younger than the dead
child so it is possible the child was from 3 to 5 years old - allowing for the
months of pregnancy between them. The surviving child should be put in a very
safe home, with a relative who is intelligent and loving and caring if
possible, and charges should be brought against BOTH parents!!!!

SeekingSanity
“The person who thought they probably would not be punished like the parents of the 9 year old who took a gun to school and shot a child - different situation. Their child shot SOMEONE ELSE'S child”

I think you are missing the point here. The person is a police officer. Their job is to enforce the law. They should be punished under the same rules you and I would be. No exceptions. How are we supposed to respect them when they are not held up to the same standards that we are?

That said I struggle anytime something like this happens. I know if it happened to me I would never forgive myself and my life would be ruined as a result. That in its self seems like punishment enough.

cops shouldnt even have childern. i dont think its safe for kids to be around cops just by the nature of how lot of cops are and thier jobs. another thing is why do cops in america have guns? its either a innocent civlian gets killed by a crook cop or a innocent child from a accident. is this enough to change laws? probaly not but should be.

Accidents happen. They happen tragically quickly with loaded guns, and they seem to happen a lot. We have the freedom to own firearms. Every freedom comes with a price; often a price that is heavier then the freedom.

Attacking the victims of such a tragic event is petty and heartless. If they put this man on a gurney and stuck a needle in his arm, it would be the least painful thing that happened to him for the rest of his life. I hope the posters above never live through the loss of a child, much less the loss of a child that they caused in some way.

I feel nothing but sympathy for this family. Nothing anyone can do at this point can make their lives any more bearable, but we offer our condolences, insignificant as they are, and wish for the best. The tragic loss of a child by any means is not a liberal, progressive, libertarian, green, republican, black, white, Asian, or any other cultural group's issue. It's a strictly human issue. We can respond with anger, judgement, sympathy, tears, advocacy, fear, or any other coping mechanism. It will mean very little to this family.

Just try to put yourself in their shoes for a second, and if that doesn't produce silent desolation, there may be something wrong with your humanity.

My insignificant condolences to the family, and hope that they will recover some level of peace in the future.

It’s sad and it sucks and charging the cop isn’t going to change that or bring back the kid. But what it might do is make the next person give more thought to what they are doing after hearing about him getting charged and save another kids life.

The story is rather light on the details of the story. We know only that 2 children, aged seven and younger, were in the van, alone, with a loaded gun. To me, this appears criminally stupid.

I don't know if simply leaving the children in the van constitutes negligence; the story says that both parents were nearby, and does not say for how long the children were left there. But leaving a loaded gun in the van with these two, small, doubtless inquisitive children must constitute a criminal offense of some sort, such as reckless endangerment.

One or both of these two parents deserve to be prosecuted.

Attacking the victims of such a tragic event is petty and heartless. If they put this man on a gurney and stuck a needle in his arm, it would be the least painful thing that happened to him for the rest of his life. I hope the posters above never live through the loss of a child, much less the loss of a child that they caused in some way.

Sorry, Cavalier, while I have sympathy for the feelings of the parents, they are both the victims and the perpetrators of this tragic event, which was neither a act of god, nor an incidence of random chance.

The fact that they did not intend to harm their children and that they too are victims of their own negligence, does not excuse criminal negligence. They do deserve to face criminal prosecution for being so neglectful of their children's welfare as to leave a loaded gun within their unsupervised reach.

I hate to say it but there are a whole of of cops out there just as stupid

That's because cops are human, just like the rest of us. They make mistakes, too. Condolences to this family.

How do you KNOW the parents are victims? For all you know, they may have pulled this stunt repeatedly and it finally worked.

Are you REALLY going to assume that a POLICE OFFICER doesn't know better than to leave a gun in a car with kids? That he doesn't have an unconscious feel for where his gun is at all times? Don't you realize their guns are as important to them as their &%$@s?

Yes, maybe he is mentally deficient, but that would have to be proved before I would be willing to shrug and bury a child, let alone commiserate with him.

He almost certainly did it on purpose and thinks he'll get away with it. And he probably will. Just like the people who killed their children by leaving them in a hot car not only got away with it, but got all that attention from bleeding hearts who sympathize with the culprit instead of the victim.

with all the cop shootings lately, maybe we should just ban handguns for cops!

The Devil-1138528

I wonder will this cop face the same charges and punishment as the parents if the 9 year old that shot a classmate http://www.newjustice.net/blog/2012/03/08/nine-year-old-involved-in-school-shooting-sentenced-to-probation/

Of course, I already know the answer to this.

Whatever charges that may be brought against the person will surely pale to the mental punishment and anguish of knowing that your own child died before you did.

MCB -

"I'm stunned at the number of people berating this policeman/woman"

Unfortunately, there seems to be an epidemic of self-righteousness sweeping across the nation right now. The irony is that it is accompanied by a wholesale general decline in personal morals and responsibility among the populace. The lack of empathy or understanding should be a cause for concern.

Its amazing to me how quickly people make a decision to start blaming and name calling in these types of situations. First of all we do not have all the facts. We don't know how far the parents were from the van, we don't know where the gun was, we don't know if the safety was on (not too hard for a child to pull a lever down), we just honestly don't know. Do I think the kids should have been left in the van with a loaded weapon, no, but how many times have we all done something that could have been threatening and not realized it until after the fact. Parents with guns need to teach their kids about the responsibilities of guns. Unfortunately for this officer, this lesson will come too late and with too high of a cost. I do not believe though, that he should be charge with neglect or homicide. Just because he is a police officer, does not mean he doesn't make mistakes. They are not perfect, they are just as human as we are and just as prone to stupidity as we are. I pray for this family, it is going to be a hard road and this officer is going to pay for it every step of the way. R.I.P. Sweet baby girl. The rest of you need to look in the mirror and remember all your stupid decisions and think about the cost it could of had if it had gone wrong, like this situation did. Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones!

rc-4121998

i dont think its safe for kids to be around cops just by the nature of how lot of cops are and thier jobs.

You know, it's kind of funny how many people actually have that view. I worked as a headstart aide for a little while. One day a cop comes in for a visit and no kidding, all the little 3 and 4 year olds saw him and started screaming and yelling, "Hide, he's going to arrest us!"

Reading some of the other comments, I'm glad to see people are actually blaming stupidity and not guns as the problem. I also see someone brought up abortion. While I consider myself conservative, I do think a woman has the right to choose, however, I disagree with late term abortions. Practically killing the child on its way out to taking its first breath of air, I'm sorry, but mothers that do that should face prosecution.

I am a bit surprised that it is a cop that doesn't apparently know about gun safety. Leaving small children in the car on top of that. It doesn't matter how close to the car a parent is, it takes only a second for a child to accidently put the car in gear, lock the doors, or in this case get a hold of the gun. When I was working security at a small casino, people would drive up and go into the casino to pick up food or smokes, leaving their kids in the car. I'd go out and stand by the car to keep an eye on the kids. One gal even had the brass to leave her two small kids in the car while she went in and started gambling. I wasn't there that day, but apparently there were several people that called CPS on the woman.

You know, that almost happened to me. My husband and I stopped in at a minimart and my husband went in to get us some drinks. Our van has tinted back windows and I moved into the back to get my son a sandwich out of the cooler when this woman comes up and peers into the window. Next thing she pulls out a phone. I'm like, what in the hell? So I get out and ask what she's doing and she said she was calling CPS for leaving this child alone without adult supervision. I told her I'm the mother and as she can see, the child isn't unsupervised. She just gave me this kind of snotty look, sniffed, and walked away. I was seriously weighing whether smacking her would be worth the assault charges, lol!

@atonyharding ["I keep reading the article and find nowhere in there that it was a MALE police officer. The gender gaps in this country are getting ridiculous."]

The first line of this article indicates that the male parent is the police officer:

"It's a big loss in Stanwood and in Marysville where the girl's dad is a police officer."

Not that I think it makes a big difference. Just a point of fact. Either way, the tragic and senseless loss of a young life.

"Banning any weapon does nothing to prevent criminals using them."

But we ban murder (and that does not prevent murder), we ban drug use (and that does not prevent drug use), we ban robbery (and that does not prevent robbery), etc. etc. etc.

To the bleeding hearts who think the cop's personal suffering is enough punishment: What BS!!!

The last thing we need to do is coddle irresponsible Gun owners, especially with all of the outcry and demand to abolish them completely. Examples like this only help that argument. The line needs to be drawn and enforced. If you decide to own a deadly weapon that is your right, but there needs to be consequences for negligence. Say the cop had been texting while driving and killed his daughter by crashing the car, you would all be screaming for his head right now! So what? because he didn't pull the trigger it wasn't his fault? BULL! If you are leaving 2 children alone in your vehicle, I don't care if you are just on the other side of the door. If you can't lock the gun in the center console or glove box, then get a trigger lock or a lock box for traveling with it. Being in the car doesn't excuse you from being safe.

And where do you people get off trying to shame those that are criticizing this officer? Criticism is objecting to the particular behavior of someone. And why the hell shouldn't we? The whole purpose of criticism is to set the standard that something is NOT OK. The more idiots you coddle, the more parents won't think twice when it comes to gun safety. So if the outcry on this board makes even one person realize they need to change their practices (because locking your gun around children should be common #@*king knowledge - especially for cops) then I am happy to rage at every example of stupidity at the risk of hurting the offender's feelings!

Unfortunately, there seems to be an epidemic of self-righteousness sweeping across the nation right now. The irony is that it is accompanied by a wholesale general decline in personal morals and responsibility among the populace. The lack of empathy or understanding should be a cause for concern.

Actually, MrIndia, people criticizing this cop/parent isn't being "self-righteous" at all. Either you don't know the real definition of that term, or you really don't understand what the big deal is in this situation. I don't have a smug sense of moral superiority when I rip into this guy, not in the least. My objection to this parent's behavior has NOTHING TO DO WITH MORALS, in fact. It had everything to do with a lack of common-effing-sense!!! A child died here. Does everyone here get that??? This was a death that could have been easily prevented had some dumb cop not naively underestimated his child AND his weapon. And if that doesn't leave someone fair game for criticism then I don't know what does!

Lolly - There is a time and place for anger. Right now as a fellow human being and a father, i cannot see beyond the pain of his loss.

He was irresponsible. He made a terrible mistake and he is not done paying for it.

Try to muster some empathy for what he is going through right now.

This officer is suffering enough and certainly does not need to be punished on top of this with verbal assaults. However, why do we continue to ignore basic facts? There are far more stories of innocent lives lost from guns than there are stories of homes protected with guns. Right to bear arms, sure...but at what cost? Does the right to bear arms mean you should not have regulations? Be able to purchase any type? Be able to take them into bars? Be able to go to gun shows, thereby passing over any regulation there might be? No I'm not suggesting taking away that right...but clearly, as we have it not, something is failing. And the body count is rising. Enough is enough.

That's because cops are human, just like the rest of us. They make mistakes, too.

flbikerchick - I wholeheartedly agree with the above statement. Cops are just people, no better and no worse than the rest of us.

But... I have to say that, even while I sympathize with the parents, leaving two young children unsupervised in proximity to a loaded gun is just mind-numbingly dumb, especially since a police office should have received some training regarding the proper and safe handling and storage procedures for hand guns.

Lolly,

I looked up self righteous, both in Websrer and the Free On-Line Dictionary:

moralistic, sanctimonious, piously sure of one's own righteousness, excessively or hypocritically pious.

I think you are very self-righteous, so yes, Mr India does know the definition of the word, and furthermore, you told him he doesn't "get" that a child is dead. Just by the very nature of his post, I can see he gets it. The people that are showing empathy most assuredly understand the child died. We all know what happened and feel very badly for this child. The next step in knowing this child has died is acknowledging her father's pain.

You asked where everyone gets off trying "to shame" those who criticized this officer. The condescending, accusatory manner with which you speak to those not sharing your opinion is truly offensive. Your last paragraph in#1.72 is so sanctimonious, I'm not sure YOU know the meaning of self righteous.

You go on and on about how if the outcry on this board makes even one person realize they have to change their practices then you are "happy to rage at every example of stupidity......." Are you going to save all of us from ourselves, you're going to point out the error of our ways?

Don't be so quick to assume that those of us who have shown some empathy for this individual are idiots, are coddling anyone. The reason I show him empathy is because I can honestly say I raised four kids, and if I try to say my exceptional awareness of danger or accidents possibly happening, is the reason they all made it to adulthood in one piece, I'm lying. Nothing happened to my kids because I was fortunate.

One time my two older boys (they were 5 and 6 years) got a hold of some matches by the fireplace. They took them outside, they were playing under some pine trees in the yard, (we lived on a farm). I glanced out and saw them under the trees, so I went out. I then noticed the pines had dropped a bunch of needles on the ground under te trees, and the branches needed to be trimmed about 4 feet up from the ground. I noticed the matches at about the same time.

I don't need to tell you what would have happened if they had gotten a match lit, just one match. Those pine needles, and the low branches, would have taken off before the kids could have gotten out from under the trees.

I thanked God that night and many nights after. Would that have been my fault? Absolutely. Would I have ever stopped blaming myself? No. My point is, it can happen to anyone. Believe me, I wouldn't have needed anyone to tell me how badly I screwed up. Maybe because I know I'm NOT perfect, I don't need to point the finger at or berate anyone else.

This ran too long, sorry.

saws

This officer is suffering enough and certainly does not need to be punished on top of this with verbal assaults. However, why do we continue to ignore basic facts? There are far more stories of innocent lives lost from guns than there are stories of homes protected with guns. Right to bear arms, sure...but at what cost? Does the right to bear arms mean you should not have regulations? Be able to purchase any type? Be able to take them into bars? Be able to go to gun shows, thereby passing over any regulation there might be? No I'm not suggesting taking away that right...but clearly, as we have it not, something is failing. And the body count is rising. Enough is enough.

This was a cop who should have known better!! If this had been some joe blow from the projects you @!$%#s would be screaming for his hide. Charge this @!$%#!

What so many people don't seem to realize is that leaving your children alone in the car is NOT illegal! The only time it's considered to be against the law is if the children are in imminent danger, which doesn't happen very often. Most of the time, people can call the police all they want to report it, but it really won't do any good.

Second, it was stated not only once, but twice that the girl's father is the police officer (once directly, the other time indirectly), so the article did specify after all.

Third, it is not surprising that he had a loaded gun in his car; police officers usually keep their weapons loaded in such places to be able to react in a split-second. Unfortunately, because of his temporary lapse in reasoning, he did not take his gun with him when he stepped out of the car, and now has to live with the consequences!

He should be arrested for Child Endangerment and manslaughter.

Anyone else would be; the police should not be exempt from the law.

My deepest condolences to him and his family though. It is still a tragedy.

I see a lot of people posting that the father should be arrested and put in jail. As a father myself, I cannot image that there could be anything worse that could be done to him, than what has already happened. There is no program of rehabilitation that will have any greater affect on this man either. No amount of training will ever make a mark on him more than losing his child to his own neglect. Those who demand he be brought to justice are blind to the justice already extracted.

Sounds like a case of self defence to me. Just goes to show you that guns are not toys. If the cop had left 2 guns in the vehicle, then the two siblings could have had a shoot out.

To the idiots that are saying we shouldn't ban guns from law enforcement officers. A few points. 1. We don't know if the guy was off duty or not, so if guns were banned and he was off duty, then he should not have one. 2. Banning guns isn't going to solve anything. This idiot should have known better than to keep a loaded gun within a child's reach.

Now the abortion question. I don't know which side of the fence I am on here. I can think of arguments on both sides. A question that I have is do we have a right to life? Do I have natural rights as an unborn child?

I had a discussion with my girlfriend about abortion. She is against and argued for it in the case of rapes. Her argument was the baby could be adopted. My argument was if I was the person that was raped, I'm not sure that I would be able to care for my unborn child knowing where it came from. Then that gives us a child that could potentially have special needs caused by not taking care of ones self. Is that a life that a child deserves?

I am so sorry for this family because now not only have they lost one of their children they have lost the families father as well. Regardless of the legal punishment he will have to live with the fact that it is is fault his little girl is dead. This family will most likely resolve in the near future. The little girl that did the shooting will need to be watched after for many years so she doesn't have to bear the brunt of blame. Rest in peace little one. To think that this could have been avoided so easily with a trigger guard or maybe even a "safety on". Trigger guard would have prevented this if the gun had to be left where it was and that in itself is doubtful. My son is an officer and he would never leave his gun even insight when not on his side.

Total freedom ! how about a GD bazooka

kdc, you have it backwards. Look up the definition of liberal. It means to have more personal freedom.

Poor guy is going to have a rough time knowing he made a mistake like that. Give your kids a presentation on guns and the damage they do, take them to a gun range and let them see the power and they will get respect for it, video games do not count. We are not going to get rid of guns, it will not happen, so education is your only option, do it now.

Better still, have them go through the NRA's gun safety program for kids. I'm not always a fan of the NRA, but this is a terrific program.

It is always a tragedy when someone so young dies. My condolence's to the family.

However, I'm pretty sure if this were to happen to me, I'd be in jail right now. How many other parents have had incidences like this happen and they were charged. The responsible party should be charged with child endangerment or whatever the law allows.

Rule NUMBER ONE - Keep Firearms From Unauthorized Users. Why is this so hard to understand?

A lifetime of never-ending guilt is plenty punishment enough. He should serve time? So even further shatter a family..

Hey now, ban guns and people will just find another weapon to use. It's a real tragedy that a young girl lost her life due to one, being left alone in a vehicle for an unknown amount of time, and two for there being a gun without the safety on.

As an officer of the law, shouldn't he have abide by the same rules they require us to abide by? Someone leaves their young, unattended children in a vehicle can get a ticket, or worse. It's sad this happened, and worse that on top of the mountain of guilt he will have to live with other consequences for this ill fated mistake. Rest in peace little angel.

Banning guns only puts guns in criminals hands. Guns are banned in Russia and they stil hve armed bank robberies and if they can't control them in Russia how are they going to control them anywhere in the worlds? Not happening. Also guns are banned in Syria and look at the trouble those people are having. Noway to defend themselves. Wheteher or not this father spends time in jail ins't even relevant to the life time sentence he has of knowing he killed his daughter. That family has been destroyed by his carelessness not a gun it could have been a hunting knife just as easy.

If there was no gun, this situation would not have happend.

SO police officers don't get guns now? Wft is wrong with you people? Seriously ban guns, then ONLY criminals and government appointed personnel have them.

If there was parental responsibility (like NOT leaving kids unattended in the car, or NOT leaving a gun in the car), this situation would not have happened.

I suspect he will be serving a life time sentence on this one. Do you feel like punishing him further will accomplish anything? He and his family suffered the greatest loss of anyone. It is not as if it was someone else's child that died as a result.

If this was "average Joe", he would probably serve time but I am sure the "blue line" will, as always, protect its own. Even if incompetent.

Really Rob? The death of the child needs no further punishment? That never ending guilt could be applied to a huge swath of criminal and violent behavior. The "I feel bad about it" defense, so let me off. Would this apply to everyone or just police?

I assume you're a woman. And you said this to get a spirited response. If for some reason you dre not, God help you. Get rid of guns? Hey, you know what MSN NEVER reports? Pick up a Rifleman magazine, any month, and turn to the "armed citizen" section. There you will see report after report of how hostile criminals were thwarted by gun wielding citizens who were able to save their own or family member's lives. You NEVER see those stories on these liberal websites. Because it's justice, and we're so afraid of justice. It's what men want. Real men. Not feminized men. Real men. How horrible for this family that this tragic accident happened. People kill people, if even by tragic mistake. Let's pray for the family. And then we should pray for people to grow brains and wisdom who say, "well, it's time to get rid of guns."

Rob, are you serious? In most states people are locked up for leaving a gun where a child can get it if they hurt themselves or someone else with it. Why should this guy be any different? Because he's a cop? If anything he should get even more punishment than the average joe since he is supposed to have some training. The family is shattered, he did it.

Sounds like the Pres has hired some libs to post in here. They make as much sence as Clinton and Pelosi and the rest do. If a gun was not there this would not have happened. If the cop had the gun on him or her it would have not happened. I don't leave my gun anywhere that ANYONE can get ahold of it You libs give me a break. Is there anyone on this post that would leave a weapon around so a child could use it. No one in their right MIND.

Williamofrites How many times do you see cops with a knife. If they had a french fry they would have ate it. What is your point????????????????

Inexcusable – Yes he should do jail time – lots of jail time. As far as I’m concerned this
is a crime. The father should be treated as if he pulled the trigger himself. Inexcusable, period. Even a teenager with the proper training would know better than to abandon a loaded gun under any circumstances’.
This should be a crime with severe penalties.

And if it was the family car, both parents should be held responsible. Police officers' wives are also very aware of gun safety.

A lifetime of never-ending guilt is plenty punishment enough.

No it isn't. Not even close.

He knew the risks of firearms around his children, yet chose to ignore them. Willful ignorance is almost as bad as pulling the trigger himself.

Yea, that's right. Ban guns and take them away from the cops. Criminals will still get guns. Remember, breaking the law is their line of business. If you go to work they will be waiting when you get home to rob you. Enjoy living without the protection the badge and the gun of the lawman provides for you.

"Pick up a copy of rifleman magazine" to read regular "reports" of armed citizens protecting their property.

Hysterical. Let me shuffle through my stack of Dr. Seuss and reading primers and try to find my copies.

I love conservatives, especially the "guns for everyone -- including criminals" --- fans. They are hysterical. I didn't realize how broad a range of media they have to feed their delusions. What, with Fox, Limbaugh, Beck, and talk radio, and now pretend news reports in periodicals, there is no end to the propaganda. Good for you'all. Just the entertainment you need to fuel your fear, anger and hatred. Please keep up with the meds, however.

As for the cop? It's great to see everyone rushing to his defense . . . you know . . . before he has faced any legal consequences. "cause, when stupidity kills innocent kids . . well . . there is no need for further punishment. Meanwhile, I'm going to go out, get drunk, crash into a bus stop of kids heading to school, but I'll be sure to apologize. Still feeling generous with your forgiveness?

WilliamofRites, what has Fox News, the love of guns and someone's political preference have to do with this tragic accident?????????????????................NOTHING !!!

Another day, another innocent child dead.

The police officer should face the same legal penalties as any other citizen. Maybe when careless adults start spending some serious time in jail for leaving a loaded gun where kids can get at it, then maybe all gun owners will start to be more responsible.

Maybe more innocent kids will live.

I'm not sure I'd even want such a careless person to work as a police officer in my community.

Tragic, yes, of course. Also preventable with hindsight. However, more kids are killed on bicycles every year than with guns and I don't see page after page of posts on how stupid the parents were for not making the child wear a helmet and how "bad" those bikes are or that we should ban bikes. So, get real. Guns are not the problem, stupid actions by PEOPLE are. Easy, hugh????

paramed - the only thing criminals are sorry for is getting caught.

jsfoo, try reading his questions again.

The owner of the gun should be charged.

the shooter(the child) should be taken out of the home away from these sorry and neglectful parents.

Both parents should have been questioned for hrs on why the kids were left in the van alone which resulted in the death of a child.

Actualy the police dept. will most likely pay the med bills. (tax payer)

The cop should be fired.

Chances are yes on the burial.

Criminal Neglect and Reckless Endangerment... That's what any Non-Police Citizen would get. Lets just hope that he gets treated the same as you or I... rather than regaled with "Special Treatment" because he is a designated to "Protect and Serve".

The answer to your first three sentences is no,the answer to your last three sentences is yes.

#4

Mr. Nice

I wonder what the police will do with this?

investigate until forgotten

Will the owner of the gun be charged with reckless endangerment, negligent homiside?

nope, that hardly ever happens to police

Was the "shooter" taken away and placed in foster care while the state and county investigates the crime?

not a chance but that would never happen anywhere to a child so young

Were both of the parents taken into custody and questioned for hours and hours ?

probably for awhile but those were his buddies doing the investigation

Will the tax payer end up footing this medical bill too?

what medical bill?

Will the cop be placed on paid leave while this situation is "looked into" ?

yes, most likely. Can't say as I've ever heard of a cop getting unpaid leave.

Will the tax payer end up footing the burial too?

a question that shouldn't ever have to be asked.

He has his punishment for the rest of his life. My only suggestion is that if off duty cops want to carry guns, they should carry them.

Well Mr "The -Lunatic" you are just that. The reason the American attitude about guns has evolved into what iti si today is the constant barge of anti-gun people trying to take our legal ownership rights to guns. i quite frankly applaud Switzerland and their approach to guns. whe na family id formed every head of household is issues a gun that they must keep and keep in firing order. Now this is from a country that is the most Neutral in the world. They are taught how to use them and you don't have some idiot ban the guns person running around trying to take them away. Guns have been a problem since the first bullet was fired. The more the population the more guns you are going to have and the more crime that is going to be committed wiht them. Of this crime could have been avoided with an arm citizen. If you are a crook and know th tif you cross that window seal and you might meet the business end of a 12 gauge you are most likely not going there. Again it is the Anti-gun people that have created the attitude bout Americans gun ownership. If those people would back-off we would develop a much calmer attitude.

So basically your attitude is there should be no responsibility to gun ownership.

If you leave your loaded weapon unsecured around kids and someone dies, it's no big deal. You're not responsible. No personal responsibility. Guns don't kill people right? People kill people. So logically the kid should go to jail.

If the gun fanatics in this country would take responsibility, maybe we wouldn't have the need for stricter gun laws. 1 handgun a month? No way! I want the ability to buy 30 handguns that may or may not just happen to walk and end up being used in gun crimes in other states. 2nd Amendment and stuff.

Only an absolute idiot would disagree with anything in that article. Everyone in the US should read it, think about it, and live it.

RealWorld Give me a break There will always be criminals with guns. Are you telling me I should be responsibile for these people. I own several guns and if they are not in my safe I have one on me. I take responsibility for my actions. I do believe in the second amendment. I also believe if you have a criminal record or mentally unfit you should not have that right. You nor the Government have the right to not let me protect myself or family because criminals have and will always break our laws. I don't need 30 guns but I still have the right to own 1 to fight criminals that break into my place.

Every gun owner has the responsibilty to know how to use and to take care of their weapon. In your world no guns means no crime. YEA RIGHT!!!!!!

Trained Officers so far have contributed to 1 death, 1 being shot and a Judge being stabbed. All in the state of Washington. Sounds like another program like FAST and FURIOUS. Always blame the gun fanatics. What is the Democrats solution. Ban Guns. That is gonna help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BTW I keep my ammo away from the weapon and the magazines away from everything. No one can use them until they are ready to use. They stay in storage in my safe.

Remember, just recently the nine year old that got a gun from his mon house, took it to school and it went off in his back pack severly injuring a young girl. This girl last I heard has had multiple operations and nobody is certain yet that she will survive. Folks right here on this site called for the nine year old to face criminal charges and "do time" like and adult". They also called for jail time for Mom, her boyfriend the bio dad and an investigation into the uncle that had custody of the boy. Later we learned that the DA made a deal with the nine year old. TEll on your mom, get what 48 hrs. of counseling etc.. and no clue per the article where the boy was headed next?

Seems like a whole different vein of conversation today when it's a much younger child of a police officer killing their 7 year old sibling while being left unattended in a van with a loaded gun.

I don't know what the right answer is here. Majority wanted to hate on the 9 year old, didn't hear a lot of sympathy for him. These 2 youngsters in this story have sympathy and nobody is calling for the shooter to be locked up.

The parents in both stories were neglectful at the least. What's the right punishment for everybody in both stories??

STop making this a debate on banning guns! THat for sure isn't the point!! God help the children in these stories heal they are the innocents and the victims. God help the adults that have to live with the consequences of their actions. Hating on anybody and self righteous proclainatons aren't helping anybody especially not the victims. All need to have a greater awareness of safety in all aspects of our kids lives and put our personal preferences for or "Rights" 2nd to the safety and well being of the children we are entrusted to raise. What would be helpful is telling your families you love them. Keeping them safe, teaching them compassion for others and finding a way to contribute support, help, understanding, money, whatever we can towards fixing these problems rather than arguing with each other and making asses out of ourselves.

I don't understand why Daddy left his gun where he did. We all make wrong decisions from time to time. Mom and Dad have a VERY hard time to deal with this situation. Little brother has to live with this his entire life. We all make wrong decisions in our lifetime. I hope they all reach out to the Lord for strength and guideness. We will pray for you all. Bless you all !!

Same here, the little girl that pulled the trigger will live with this her whole life, it's really sad. The number one priority above all else should be the safety, well being and upbringing of children. It's a world wide problem, and America isn't leading the way by investing in children. No excuse for things like this to happen, and no excuse for any child to be labeled under-privileged in America.

Prove your statement please

Statistically the majority of gun deaths (55%, around 17,000 per year) are suicides, followed by homicides (around 10,000 per year). Accidental deaths by firearm number about 700 per year, fewer than the number of people killed by tobacco smoking on a daily basis.

Yep 700 deaths per year is practically nothing. If a few hundred kids have to die, apparently to some of the people on this board it's no big deal. They probably deserved it right?

The difference being no one is forced to smoke, or commit suicide (hopefully) and one person being shot by accident in the country is too many... Seven-hundred is astounding.

The liberal comments on this board are just insane. No clue and looking for that "feel good" answer which is always ban guns. Idiotic to say the least.

So usa1967, in you're minds eye anyone who cares for another other than themselves is a liberal ? Grow up and be an adult.

Yep 700 deaths per year is practically nothing. If a few hundred kids have to die, apparently to some of the people on this board it's no big deal. They probably deserved it right?

About 40K die each year in auto accidents which includes several thousand kids. They probably deserved it right?.............just using your logic.

all the law inforcement officers I know do carry a weapon, whether on duty or not. It was TOTALLY irresponsible for this officer to leave, not only his kids alone in a vehicle, but to leave them alone with a loaded weapon in the vehicle. He should loose his job and his pension. Shame, Shame on him.

"I'm not a gun person but I do own a 20 guage shotgun, kept unloaded, just in case"

In case of what? If a bad guy comes into your house, you think he's going to give you time to retrieve your ammunition and load your weapon?

"but I've never felt inclined to do so because I don't go places that would put me in danger, such as late night clubbing or to a drug dealers house or the parts of town known to be problematic."

You're assuming that bad guys only congregate in specially marked "BAD GUYS ONLY" areas. The potential for danger exists everywhere.

Buffaloe51...

I know a lot of people that carry concealed, but I've never felt inclined to do so because I don't go places that would put me in danger, such as late night clubbing or to a drug dealers house or the parts of town known to be problematic.

Would you please tell me exactly HOW you know you never go places that put you in danger. The only way that will happen is if you never leave your house and have guards on the exterior to ensure you are not the victim of a home invasion.

People get mugged and assaulted in grocery and department store parking lots. I guess you never go to those places either.

People have recently been robbed in a CHURCH while attending choir practice. I guess you never to there either.

People are often victims of car jacking. I guess you never drive anywhere either.

Crime can and does happen ANYWHERE and EVERYWHERE. There are no areas with big signs that say "Caution - - You are entering a CRIME AREA"

So, you can chose to be a victim, by keeping your 20ga shotgun unloaded and the ammunition seperated and locked up. But please don't be surprised if you should ever need it that the "criminal" doesn't permit you time to get it and load your shotgun before he/she does whatever he/she wants to.

I buried a child. I know what it feels like to stand at that grave and watch the tiny casket be lowered down into it. My child did not die from violence but it makes no difference how your child dies. It is the worst grief in the world. That cop IS STUPID. I agree with that. The child who picked up the gun was most likely 4 years old or younger. The age of reason is 7 years old which is how old the older girl who died was. It is not possible to reason with a child under the age of seven -which is why it is called the age of reason. I have a degree in Cognitive Development and how a child's brain learns and grows. This accident (which it was) was totally preventable. Why was a loaded gun out where a child could reach it in the car? Why not in the glove box? Why on earth would BOTH parents leave two children age 7 and under in the car alone for even a second- let lone by the side of the road? I am sure these parents are grieving their child and I know how that feels but added to that they have guilt as the entire incident was both of their faults. They should be punished to the full extent of the law - BOTH of them as they both knew the gun was in the car and they both knew the children were by the side of the road and they BOTH got out of the car for NO GOOD REASON - as there is NO GOOD REASON to leave two children by the side of the road with a loaded gun in plain sight. Child Endangerment is the perfect fit for this crime- and a CRIME it was by BOTH parents.

What an awful thing for the little one who just picked up the gun and had no idea what would happen next. That child will need years of counseling - even if the child was only 3 - we do not know the child's age - only younger than the dead child so it is possible the child was from 3 to 5 years old - allowing for the months of pregnancy between them. The surviving child should be put in a very safe home, with a relative who is intelligent and loving and caring if possible, and charges should be brought against BOTH parents!!!!

Why would the seven year old allow the younger kid play with the gun? Maybe both kids were stupid?

I found where my parents hid their auto pistol when I was around 7 or 8. I used to look at it all the time, but I had enough sense not to point it at someone or pull the trigger. I knew it was real, and I knew it would kill you. I was never told not to touch it because I wasn't supposed to know it existed at the time. A cops kids should have been aware of the rules since a parent was a police officer and firearms would be around.

Harry Simon - First - my condolences on the death of your child. That has got to be one of the worst experiences imaginable. I can't begin to imagine the grief you must have felt.

As for the rest of your post, I agree with you 100% - except for you referring to the incident as an "accident." There are no "accidents" where firearms are concerned; there is only carelessness and stupidity, both of which seem to apply here.

Thank You.

I do agree with you about the word "accident" - this was negligence on the part of both parents/

When Nintendo is outlawed, only outlaws will have Nintendo.

Playstation's better, ayway.

Well, I will rest better tonight knowing that "guns don't kill people"! Although, I am sure that is cold comfort to all the innocent people who have been killed by guns. I am aware that we have a love of guns in this country and we justify that love by telling ourselves that we need a .45 or a .357 (or whatever) to defend ourselves. However, if it were about that, wouldn't a tazer disarm your assailant just as well without running the risk of harming a person in the apt. or house next to you?

I wonder how many people died this year in random shootings, accidental or otherwise, that would not be dead if the assailant had been unable to get a gun. It seems to me that I read substantially more tragic articles of murder then heroism regarding the use of firearms.

In other countries, where guns are available to the bad guys but not considered a must have accessory by the general populace, they don't have the high body count from random lunatics with guns. So, really, guns kill people... that is, after all, why they were made.

Don't piss off your ex or any other armed person. You may think he won't shoot you. You may be wrong. Anybody is capable of killing, question is what has to happen to get someone to do it, what sequence of circumstances. Bad day, alcohol, dog died, contentious divorce, money problems, just got fired, what does it take?

Yikes! My husband is a cop and unloads and locks up his gun every single time he walks in the door. Being lazy is no reason to put your child in danger, shame on him!

As for the story, I feel so sorry for the family and the children. I am not sure if all the therapy in the world will help the "shooter" get past this even if they are so young we hope they won't remember.

Thank you, Andrew's mom. I don't even have to make a separate comment. You said it perfectly. The double standard for police officers and the rest of society is sickening and disgusting. Every time someone makes a justifiable criticism of the police, he's called a cop hater. Constructive criticism is not hatred. Any true friend will constructively criticize his friends when they do wrong and to do less with the police just shows that those who pretend to be the friends of the police are nothing but phonies. Those phonies simply like the police because they seem them as their protectors against the "evil" minorities, when in fact the only thing the police serve and protect is their own selfish interests.

Right, and when they lock up her parents he/she can feel guilty about that too. This family is suffering enough, taking the parents away from the other three children is simply perpetuating the horror. These parents will do more self punishment then the law can ever do. I do, however, think that the cop should lose his badge for the compleet and utter failure to do his job which is to keep the innocent safe.

Rest in peace little one and baby sib., this was not your fault... you are just a child. I hope you, too, find peace.

The end of the article mentions that the dad is devastated. I took that to mean that the police officer was the father.

at the time it was not updated this was a 2 days ago comment.

crusader-probably both.