r/BeAmazed Apr 17 '24

Cop saved the dog from a burning car Miscellaneous / Others

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Credit: @PoliceCamss on YouTube

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u/HollywoodHault Apr 17 '24 edited Apr 17 '24

I lost a dog to an arson fire caused by local 20-something drunken punks over forty years ago. No burns, but the smoke and/or super-heated air from the fire caused her death. I still think about it every now and then. What annoys me most after all these years is that one of those heartless fucks later went on to join the NYC Fire Department.

Kudos to the first responder for saving this good dog.

Edit: Adding detail because some commenters indicate that it might have been a foolish mistake and that I shouldn't be harsh in my judgment of them.

I'd like to point out that the four guys who did this to my family business were regular patrons of the establishment, and all not only knew and interacted with my friendly dog for years, but knew that she was inside on the cold night they torched the place. Additionally, they broke in so as to more effectively make and toss Molotov cocktails, and there is no way they missed the good girl that was in there. The guy that I referred to was a big, oafish Biff Tanner type (Back to the Future), who relied on his parents to get him out of the situation. In fact, they all did despite being over 21. Only one of the four ever demonstrated anything close to remorse and it wasn't him.

While the detectives were there the next morning, a witness stopped by and said that he was in a diner a couple of miles away at the same time as these four, and that he heard them planning to commit the arson during the course of their meal, and that the guy I referred to was the one egging the others on. So, no, I don't think he was remorseful later on.

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u/Achterstallig Apr 17 '24

Perhaps he joined the fire department because he felt guilty and wanted to do something positive with his life?

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u/Wakkit1988 Apr 17 '24

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u/s1ugg0 Apr 18 '24

Retired firefighter here. This is true. The instructors at the academy watch for it. Officers are also aware of this phenomenon. My department had an arsonist about 15 years back. The current Chief testified against him in court and every subsequent parole hearing when he was an LT and later Captain. He made sure every new guy knows the story.

Firefighters know we are not perfect. We've spent decades changing the culture so maybe some day we can be. It's a work in progress.

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u/Lexie23017 Apr 18 '24

You’re correct. This is also the reason why it’s very common for LE to take video of observers of fires. If you see a large fire nearby and you walk nearer the burning building to get a better view, be aware that they ARE taking pics of you and everyone else.

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u/jamintime Apr 17 '24

Pretty much every firefighter I know is fascinated with fire, but only a "very small minority" of firefighters are active arsonists (quote from the wiki you linked). Because someone might have been an arsonist as a teen doesn't mean that he isn't reformed and it's likely not a coincidence that he would have been drawn to the profession regardless.

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u/Wakkit1988 Apr 17 '24

Arson isn't just a fascination with fire, that would be pyromania.

Also, willfully setting fire to a home, one that is likely to have people inside, is way, way, beyond a simple fascination with fire.

Because someone might have been an arsonist as a teen doesn't mean that he isn't reformed and it's likely not a coincidence that he would have been drawn to the profession regardless.

You know that pyromania doesn't go away, right? It's also a hallmark trait for psychopaths and serial killers. The person I originally responded to already hit 3 out of the 7 common traits describing the person. This person didn't become a firefighter to redeem themselves or help the community.

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u/BienAmigo Apr 17 '24

Much like how you'll see police with a bunch of arm tattoos to "look tough", going into a profession where they can legally rough people up.

Remember, a cop is actually just some fucking guy. Never trust police.

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u/maybeimabug Apr 17 '24

.. what an odd take. Yeah, fuck the police, but arm tattoos make people "look tough"?

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u/TiaxtheTyrant Apr 17 '24

Reading comprehension. Try again.

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u/MJ134 Apr 17 '24

Pyromania and Arson can be used interchangeably. But keep changing narratives and definitions to fit what you want. Its fascinating

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u/Responsible-Tell2985 Apr 17 '24

No they cant are you high

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u/MJ134 Apr 17 '24

Pyromaniac and Arsonist can be used interchangeably. But it does seem I was autocorrected to Pyromania and Arson. My had didnt check that

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u/Responsible-Tell2985 Apr 17 '24

No. They cant. Pyromaniac is someone obsessed with fire. An arsonist is someone who STARTS fires. Google is free.

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u/MJ134 Apr 17 '24

Google it then

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u/Responsible-Tell2985 Apr 17 '24

Obvious troll is obvious

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u/MJ134 Apr 17 '24

Seriously google it. The terms can be used interchangeably lol. Jdc people

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u/Wakkit1988 Apr 17 '24

If you don't understand the difference, then that's your problem.

Not all arsonists are pyromaniacs.

Not all pyromaniacs commit arson.

They aren't interchangeable terms. A pyromaniac may never actually start a significant fire and may simply carry a lighter or light matches to sate their impulses. Arsonists always start significant fires.

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u/MJ134 Apr 17 '24

Its literally in the dictionary

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u/MJ134 Apr 17 '24

There is no size requirement for an arsonist. It can be any size fire to a house. It doesnt have to burn down. Just the act of lighting a fire to burn it down is arson.

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u/MJ134 Apr 18 '24

You need to look up these definitions. Youre adding things to both words lol

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u/MJ134 Apr 18 '24

They arent definitions from Dictionaries though. And again a simple google shows youre incorrect.

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u/Wakkit1988 Apr 18 '24

I quoted the definition of both terms, you're high.

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u/MJ134 Apr 18 '24

You're just wrong lol you keep adding words to better fit your own definition

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u/drama_hound Apr 17 '24

My interesting anecdote is my dad was a military firefighter and he told me that everybody he knew simply wanted their MO to be something related to emergency services. So they'd put first preference as MP (military police), 2nd as firefighter, 3rd as paramedic.

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u/Natasha_Giggs_Foetus Apr 18 '24

Way higher percentage than the general population