If what he did was above and beyond the call of duty, then he's a hero.

If what he did was expected of the average police officer just doing his job, then no. In that case, he was just doing what was expected of him and that doesn't qualify him to be a hero.

So, which one was it?

(My reason for posting this thread here, today, is that I believe that our heroes actually define us. Who we choose to revere says a lot about a society. It is indeed political.)

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I'll get nicer when you get smarter.

Interesting question:

What he did was what is expected of the average police officer.

HOWEVER, what is expected of the average police officer is NOT what is expected of the average citizen. Do we expect average citizens to confront armed gunmen and make split-second decisions about how these scenarios will be handled? We don't. Even more, we expect cops to make the RIGHT decision, every single time.

Do we require them to perform heroic duties? And, if so, does that make them heroes for performing these duties?

For instance, consider September 11. Who ran into the building? Who ran out?

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I'll get nicer when you get smarter.

No

Yes

Absolutely! You need to risk your life in an action above and beyond the call of duty.

What if doing your job requires you to risk your life daily?

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I'll get nicer when you get smarter.

I think "hero" is overused. Do folks serving their country deserve respect? Yes. But that doesn't make them heroes. I served; I wasn't a hero. Not every cop or firefighter is a hero by virtue of their career choice.

Heroes, in my opinion, are ones that go above and beyond the call, not the ones who simply do their job -- even if that job involves risking one's life to some degree.

On the other hand, a hero doesn't have to be someone doing something flashy or violent. Simply living life bravely in the face of adversity can be heroic. Living a life of service to others can be heroic. Making a significant personal sacrifice to help another can be heroic.

Perhaps the distinction involves time. A person can become a hero in a single life-or-death instant. Or they can become a hero through a lifetime of brave living.

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Man up.

You didn't answer the question about being a murderer. My friend shot someone in the performance of his normal duties. Is he a murderer?

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I'll get nicer when you get smarter.

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There are only two things wrong with this great nation of ours, democrats and republicans!

Not necessarily in that order.

Then he wasn't a hero. He was just doing what he was trained for and what was expected of him.

Correct. The average person isn't trained for it. So if an average person did what the officer did, then he would be a hero; since what he did was above and beyond what was expected of him.

Depends. Were they required to run into a building about to collapse?

Only if it's above and beyond what is expected of you.

If risking your life on a daily basis was the sole criteria, then fishermen would be our national heroes since they have about the most dangerous job going.