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As the OP...I can promise you I didn't feel protected by the dang cameras hanging above my head. Those aren't installed for me...they are installed to catch the tag numbers of deadbeats who steal gas. I never feared for my life in this incident, but I did fear that I would be faced with a very difficult but yet obvious choice to protect myself an my son. I took a great deal more comfort in knowing that I was somewhat in control of the situation and ready for a worst case scenario than any camera could provide. I have learned a ton from this incident and no stranger will ever get that close to me again at the gas pump. I let him get WAY too close for comfort. Next time, a stranger such as this will meet a much more difficult and less friendly target! A stranger at the gas pumps is not a lost puppy...he's a potential threat that needs to be kept in check.

I'll try and address some of the concerns.

I never saw his truck. I have no idea where it was or how he got to me. I thought I was being really nice to offer to get him some free help. This isn't 1952 in Mayberry...I wish it was. I teach 4th graders how to add, subtract, multiply and divide...that's my specialty. Someone else in my community specializes in helping disabled motorist from Dallas and I'm glad they do. They have the tools, the training, and safety net in place to provide this service (guns, tazers, radios, and backup officers). My taxes pay for the truck, salary and the gasoline for this service...I think it is totally appropriate to call and request that service when needed.

When he declined free assistance, my red flag went up. At that point, he went from stranger in my personal space to suspicious. I've hung out with a lot of LEO's and they conduct field interviews all the time on suspicious people walking down the street who are somewhat out of place. A lot of local PD's have a local database with this info in it so that other officers who happen to encounter suspects are informed of other suspicious activity. I don't think it is all that wrong to have a "person of interest" database for community PD's.

He did not appear to have a weapon...and I'm certain he would say the same of me. My hand on my hip at 4:00 was a very natural stance and there is no bulge other than the spare tire that I have in all directions! I think my local PD is much better when they are in the crime prevention mode instead of the crime solving mode. I called them simply for this reason. It might behoove me to program the local PD number into my phone for this type of call, because you are correct that it wasn't a 911 emergency. I guess it has just become somewhat ingrained in our society that 911 is the number to the PD. I'm guilty. Another reason for the immediate 911 call was in case of the MWAG situation that you propose--even though there was practically zero chance that that call would come in from anyone.

I hope you don't think I'm flaming back...that isn't my goal. My purpose for sharing this story was simply to share how important it is that we be aware of potential threats and how (or how not) to deal with them. Most days, I put my gun on and never really think twice about it. However, each encounter where I have a conscious thought about having a gun on my hip is a learning opportunity. At least it is at this point in my CHL experience.

If you take it at surface value and don't wonder why he was so reluctant to take free help from a service officer...nothing. But if it doesn't pass the smell test, an officer should field interview the guy and check out his story...and get him the help he needs as a stranger in a strange community.

I'm slowly learning that I don't have to be a nice guy all the time.

I was at the local Wal-Mart this morning and had just put the nozzle in my tank when a strange man approaches me at the back of my vehicle. I was carrying and my 9 yr old boy was attending the pump. He was about 40, wearing denim shorts, a red t-shirt, and was a little dirty and unshaven. The stranger told me that he was here in Tyler working (from Dallas) and his truck threw a belt. He needed a ride to his hotel 3 miles away and offered me money to take him. I was immediately kicking myself when I patted my pocket and realized that my phone was charging inside my car and that the key was in the ignition. I told him that our PD has a service vehicle on duty during the day that helps disabled motorists and told him that I would gladly call them. He immediately backed up and declined that service...mumbling that he was frustrated because nobody would help him in this town and he again offered to pay me. I told him that money wasn't the issue...that I didn't know him was the problem. He walked away and engaged another guy pumping gas. I called 911...but in the time it took to pump $50 in gas, I didn't ever see an officer and the dude disappeared.

The whole incident didn't pass the smell test.
1. They sell a few belts inside Wal-Mart
2. Why didn't he ask me to take him to the parts store right up the street?
3. What was at his hotel that would have solved his problem?
4. Why was money so important to him.
5. Why was he not interested in help from a Tyler PD service officer?
6. Why would he be here from Dallas without a cell phone and someone to call?

I did have my thumb under my shirt and my strong side turned away from him. I was ready if things got ugly like the guy in Ohio...but I made some mistakes that I can learn from.

1. My phone should have been with me.
2. My keys should not have been in the ignition...my car fills from the passenger side (I don't like that). The guy could have easily jacked my car.
3. I should have instructed my kid into the car to get him out of harms way immediately upon being approached (if the keys weren't in the car).

Situational awareness is crucial. I've only been a CHL holder for a couple of months...so I'm not an expert by any means. This was a good learning opportunity for me and I'd have been a lot more oblivious a year ago. Thanks to the many people on this board who have helped me improve in this area. It's a fast paced world out there!