CBS: Bystander Uses Firearm to Save Texas Cop

"When I told him to freeze, it was the voice of the Lord," Patrick Coughlan told CBS' Jim Axelrod.

Linden Police Officer Sharon Gillespie was in the process of arresting Andrew Gray. He was wanted for assault.

"She told him he was under arrest. When she pulled her handcuffs out, he spun around and grabbed hold of her," said Linden Police Chief Alton McWaters.

That's where Mr. Coughlan comes in. Officer Gillespie and Gray were wrestling when Gillespie lost control of her gun.

"They wrassled there for a little while and then a man ran up beside them and grabbed it and took it out of his hand," said McWaters.

"I didn't see the gun until I was about 5 feet away. By that time I was able to speed up and reach in just at the right time to get the gun. And I pointed it at him and I told him to freeze," said Coughlin said.

"He meant to shoot her -- there's no doubt in my mind. If it wasn't for [Coughlan], I don't know what would have happened," Linden Police Chief Alton McWaters said. "I don't think it would have turned out very well."

OFCC PAC Commentary:
This incident did not involve a CCW license-holder, but it was in Texas (a CCW state) and shows yet again that the good guys are the good guys and can be trusted with guns - even the gun of someone who, it could be argued, shouldn't be a cop.

When a gun "is available", it can be used to save lives: notice that the bystander didn't take the gun out of the situation - he turned around and pointed it at the criminal who continued to resist.

This is yet another example of how the law-abiding citizen, licensed to carry
or not, is going to come to the aide of a police officer, rather than adding an additional threat.

Click here to read the entire story from CBSNews.com.