Thread: Slain Pa. officer had pointed stun gun at 2 dogs

There has to be more to that story.

where in the fuk is FREEMANSBURG, Pa? so many dam little small towns in that state. is that out your way?

have they done anything with that mall in Chambersburg yet?

the cop got what was coming to him..

Originally Posted by AdmiralRichard

the cop got what was coming to him..

The police chief got the kid shot, imo. Of course, without all the facts you and I are both full of ****.

Originally Posted by LAM

where in the fuk is FREEMANSBURG, Pa? so many dam little small towns in that state. is that out your way?

have they done anything with that mall in Chambersburg yet?

Nowhere really near me. I'm in Carlisle, which is south and central.

Here's Freemansburg. (I'd never heard of it.)



No idea about that mall. Chambersburg is only about 30 miles from me, but it's running south of Carlisle on 81. I travel north to Harrisburg about the same distance for work, but haven't traveled south in forever.

Originally Posted by Curt James

Slain Pa. officer had pointed stun gun at 2 dogs
(snip)
The officer had been responding to a report of a disturbance and ended up at the back of Hitcho's house, authorities said, where Police Chief George Bruneio also arrived after Lasso had requested assistance. Bruneio instructed the officer to "shoot the dogs" and that's when the homeowner pulled out a shotgun and fired, authorities said.

Originally Posted by hoyle21

There has to be more to that story.

I agree!

What struck me was that the officer eventually had back up (supposed back up) in the form of his police chief. Wtf, over? Officer Lasso requested assistance.

"Shoot the dogs"? That's your advice? What did the chief do after his officer, following his dumbass instruction, was gunned the **** down?

Lasso: "Hey, could you shoot that son of a ***** for me, chief? I mean AS LONG AS YOU'RE HERE TO OFFER ME ASSISTANCE!"

Not a joking matter, but Jesus.

Again, without having all the fact, well, I'm FOS, but seriously? How about we calm things down before you taze or stun the guy's mutts. Were they chained and just threatening or were the chief and the officer running around the yard being chased by the dogs?

SIPDE is an acronym I learned in motorcycle safety class.

The SIPDE process is a system taught in Driver's Ed classes to help drivers drive safely. The acronym stands for:

• S—Sweep, Search, and Scan (keep your eyes moving at all times to effectively see imminent danger)
• I—Identify hazards, Identify what's happening (road-way features) (take notice of things that could cause trouble)
• P—Predict which hazards could potentially come into conflict with you; predict 2 things 1-worst case scenario and 2-actions
• D—Decide on a safe action (decide on something to do should the dog run across the road)
• E—Execute that safe action; use communication

This process saves drivers from getting into accidents and prevents damage.

From SIPDE Process - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Those two officers could have benefited by employing SIPDE procedures.

Another escort video, but can't find a news video.

Originally Posted by hoyle21

There has to be more to that story.

Found this.

In memory of Officer Robert Lasso

By Duane Sedlock, Allentown Outdoorsman Examiner
August 13, 2001

Freemansburg Police Officer Robert Lasso was shot and killed while responding to a disturbance call at a home on New Street in the borough, at about 5:15 pm this past Thursday evening. While responding to the call, he was shot in the head. Officer Robert Lasso, 31, was pronounced dead from his injuries at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem at 5:42 pm.

He had served with the Freemansburg Borough Police Department for seven years. He is survived by his wife and two young children, ages 5 and 3.

During the call Lasso was attacked by two dogs in an alley behind a home on New Street where the dogs lived, directly behind the home where the complaint originated from. He was attempting to use his Taser to subdue the dogs when their owner appeared and shot him. Officer Lasso suffered a shotgun blast to the face. He was transported to the hospital where he died a short time later. The Freemansburg Borough police chief witnessed the shooting and immediately took the subject into custody. The man was subsequently charged with criminal homicide.

Suspect George Hitcho Jr., 46, of Freemansburg has had a storied past with alcohol, drug and domestic violence problems. Neighbors had made many calls to the police over the years from problems and disturbances involving Hitcho. Hitcho had two German shepherds, an American bulldog and seven German shepherd puppies. The larger dogs often roamed the neighborhood after escaping the property.

Lasso had been on the Freemansburg Force since 2004, grew up in the borough and graduated from Freedom High School. His father, Donald, is a borough councilman and chief of the fire department. His brother Joe is a lieutenant in the Palmer Township Municipal Fire Department. Lasso's wife, Jennifer, is an English teacher at Liberty High School; their children are Frankie and Rose.

Freemansburg, a small tight-knit community alongside the Lehigh Canal has a population of approximately 2,100, borders the city of Bethlehem on its east side. Besides police Chief George Bruneio, Lasso was the borough’s only full-time officer. Eight or nine part-timers fill out the force.

Lasso is the first police officer in Northampton County to be killed in the line of duty since 1969 when Bethlehem Police Officer Phillip Fahy was gunned down by a hit-and-run suspect. The Fahy Bridge in Bethlehem was named in his honor. Easton Police Officer Jesse Sollman was also shot and killed by a fellow officer inside police headquarters back in 2005. His death was ruled an accident.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett has ordered flags in the Capitol complex and in Northampton County to be flown at half-staff to honor Lasso. Robert Lasso has joined the nearly 1,000 officers who have died in the line of duty and are now honored on the website Officer Down Memorial Page.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Long Funeral Home in Bethlehem. A memorial service will be held at Northampton Community College in Bethlehem Township on Tuesday.

The Heights Community Federal Credit Union has set up a fund in Officer Lasso's honor. The credit union is located at the corner of 6th Street and Freemansburg Avenue in Bethlehem Township. The mailing address is 3530 Freemansburg Avenue, Bethlehem, PA, 18020.

Robert was a wonderful husband, father and great friend to many. Condolences to the Lasso family. May he rest in peace.

Cards and letters can be sent to:
Freemansburg Borough Police Department
600 Monroe Street
Freemansburg, PA 18017
(610) 866-2220

From In memory of Officer Robert Lasso - Allentown Outdoorsman | Examiner.com

sounds like a cover up. just becausethey have a badge they think thye can march all over ya mate...

Okay if he was going on a rampage, why wouldn't he shoot the other cop. This story is bullshit.

Originally Posted by SloppyJ

Okay if he was going on a rampage, why wouldn't he shoot the other cop. This story is bullshit.

this is a good question

Well I'm sure that was a quick death. Def more to the story though..

Originally Posted by SloppyJ

Okay if he was going on a rampage, why wouldn't he shoot the other cop. This story is bullshit.

The one article I read stated that the police chief took custody of the suspect immediately following the shooting.

I say the chief should have blasted the suspect to KINGDOM COME!

Originally Posted by meow

Well I'm sure that was a quick death. Def more to the story though..

Doubt we'll ever hear it.

The second article I saw didn't mention that the officer had called for assistance, the chief showed up, ordered the dogs be shot, and then watched the officer get blasted.

BIG HELP! THANKS FOR THE BACK-UP, BIZTCH!

99% of them fuckers r more corupt than u and i my friend.....to protect and serve.... fuck that i can protect my self dont need them ass wipes......