Think About it -- It Depends on Who's Bull is Getting Gored

Resources Think About it -- It Depends on Who's Bull is Getting Gored
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Carl Chinn

Carl Chinn

Aug 2, 2025

Driving through Oklahoma recently with my wife, we saw a sign on I-35 at mile marker 202, proclaiming the “Charlie Hanger Memorial Mile.” It is where state trooper Charlie Hanger arrested the OKC bomber in 1995 but I had never seen the sign before.

I had been familiar with the story years ago but needed to freshen up on the details. That night I watched some interviews with Hanger to rekindle the memory of that great moment when he arrested the OKC killer.

When one reads through the details of that remarkable arrest it is bizarre. Hanger was at the right place at exactly the right time, acting on the right instincts. The killer was a moron who had just committed a horrific crime then drove down the interstate with no tags. Criminals are never the sharpest knives in the drawer, but he sat a new low (in morals and brains).

It is interesting to me how so many bent on the rights of the criminals today, would holler “foul” on Trooper Hanger’s actions that day. They would run to the term “police brutality” when hearing Hanger describe how he grabbed the killer, putting his own gun to the killer’s head, marching him to the back of his car; when all he knew about him at the time was that he was carrying a concealed weapon, had no license plate and no evidence of insurance.

My brother was a Sheriff for 4 terms, serving 16 years in that administrative role before retiring. He often heard parents say something like, “I always wanted the maximum penalty until it was my son in your jail.” He quoted an old rancher who said, “It all depends on who’s bull is getting gored.”

He and I were talking about Hanger and the right and wrong actions of good guys and bad guys and how criminals seem to have more rights than law enforcement.

Think About it

I am concerned many law-enforcement agencies, recruiting from the pool of collegiate influence and other cultural weaknesses, are becoming watered down agencies that could jeopardize strong responses when strong responses are needed.

I’m not saying we go back to Wyatt Earp, but I think a few more Charlie Hangers would be a good thing these days.

And if your “little Timmy” gets in trouble, don’t change your standards defending him.

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