Full story from Dallas Morning New Website
Worker fired for trying to disarm robber
10-year veteran risked others' lives, firm says
07:59 AM CDT on Monday, October 4, 2004
By MICHAEL E. YOUNG / The Dallas Morning News
The robbery passed in a blur – rough voices, barked orders, workers forced to the floor, a bag of money changing hands.
Then one of the robbers ordered the supervisor at the Richardson Long John Silver's to the back of the restaurant.
"He's going to kill me," the man recalled thinking. So he grabbed a hammer, turned and swung.
The robber fell, then fled, his accomplice with him. The bag of money lay on the floor.
A few days after the Sept. 18 robbery attempt, the supervisor got another shock: Officials at Long John Silver's fired him.
He'd risked his co-workers' lives and violated company policy, he said they told him.
A company spokesman declined to discuss specifics, acknowledging the attempted robbery at the Belt Line Road restaurant and the policy.
Spokesman Rick Maynard said, "Our policy outlines the steps that should be taken to prevent putting customers or employees at risk, including directing employees not to attempt to disarm a robber."
The decision stunned the fired supervisor, who asked that his name not be used because the robbers remain at large. And it surprised law enforcement officials.
"You know what? He might not have followed policy. But don't Monday-morning-quarterback someone whose life was threatened," said Richardson police Sgt. Kevin Perlich.
The supervisor, 46, said his fears overwhelmed him, and for good reason.
"They had my three employees on the floor," said the Dallas father of six who had worked for Long John Silver's for 10 years. "I gave them the money, but the dude who's supposed to have the gun, he orders me into the back.
"The only thing I could think is he was going to kill all of us," the fired worker said.
He'd been robbed on the street 25 years ago. He had handed over his money and offered his watch, but the robber shot him anyway.
"I had a flashback, and I was panicking. I knew I had to do something. I had seen a hammer in the back, and I grabbed it."
A few days later, he was called in by his boss and fired.
"I cooperated. I gave them the money. But they said because I hit one of the robbers, I violated company policy."
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