I submitted this through the Walmart Corporate website, in the Feedback section.
http://walmartstores.com/contactus/feedback.aspx
To whom it may concern:
This is in regards to the news story located here:
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=14319284
I urge Walmart to reconsider the firing of Shawn Ray, Justin Richins, Lori Poulsen, and Gabriel Stewart from the Layton, UT store. Please rehire these heroes, as their actions were done only in self defense. From their own words, they had no opportunity to back down, with one of their co-workers being held at gunpoint. Their actions were instinctive and in the defense of their friend, not Walmart property.
Gabriel Stewart was an employee of yours for 12 years before a felon put a gun to his back, and his co-workers courageously decided to keep him from being a murder victim. For this, they all lost their jobs.
Shawn Ray's termination cost him the ability to purchase a home - his American dream is shattered, his job lost. All for saving his friend's life, NOT your coporate property. The laptop was out of the equation - a gun was in his friend's back!
I cannot imagine that you will let this injustice stand, not when the situation is fully reevaluated on Walmart's part. These young men should be thanked, not fired.
I fully understand that Walmart's corporate policy is for employees not to confront/challenge an armed assailant - however I absolutely cannot understand how you can justify firing 4 employees because they didn't want to stand there and watch their friend get shot and killed by a felon, then potentially run on a rampage through your store with a loaded gun.
Corporate policies are made with the best of intentions, however I truly believe that if you look in your hearts, you will see that four young men risked their lives for their friend, NOT to protect your merchandise in a foolish manner.
I would very much appreciate a response, not just a form letter, to this enquiry. I sincerely hope your company will do the right thing and hire these heroes back, so you can again count them among the ranks of your staff. I would be proud to shop in a Walmart where four men stood up to an armed felon to save their friend - these are heroic deeds rarely seen these days.
Moments like these define the character of people, and corporations.
Please do the right thing, and reverse the terminations of these fine young Americans.
If you will not reevaluate and overturn the firing of these heroes, I assure you that my child, expected to be born in September of this year, will never have one item purchased from any of your stores, so long as I have a say in the matter. If gifts are purchased at Walmart I will return them and buy them elsewhere - even if twice the cost. I'm sorry, but I refuse to tolerate such treatment of genuine heroes in America, whether from the military or everyday people who do extraordinary things.
Once again, I urge Walmart to reconsider the firing of Shawn Ray, Justin Richins, Lori Poulsen, and Gabriel Stewart from the Layton, UT store.
Thank you for your time.