Sound off, Odessa

ABC News recently released a video of an armed robbery of a Walgreen's Pharmacy in Benton Township, Michigan which took place in May. The video showed two masked, hooded robbers brandishing weapons entering the nearly deserted store at 4:30 a.m. They grabbed an employee as a hostage and dragged him around the store. Pharmacist Jeremy Hoven tried to call 911, but then one of the two robbers jumped over the pharmacy counter and pointed his pistol at Hoven, who drew his own pistol, a Smith & Wesson 357 Magnum revolver, in self defense. Hoven fired several rounds, causing the would-be robbers to flee.

Hoven protected his coworker and himself from harm and prevented a robbery. Worthy of a commendation or at least a hearty pat on the back, right? Not this time. Walgreens fired him, citing their non-confrontation company policy. Walgreen's also claims to have had a policy in place which bars employees from carrying weapons, though they did not choose to include that in Hoven's termination paperwork.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Hoven is now suing Walgreen’s for wrongful termination based on the fact that he had a permit to carry the concealed weapon, something that he obtained after a previous robbery at the same Walgreen’s in 2007. At that time he had asked for increased safety measures at the store, including the installation of a panic button connected to local law enforcement and a policy that would allow employees to close the store during power outages. The store chose not to comply. After the most recent robbery, Walgreen’s spokesmen defended their commitment to safety by noting the increase in security cameras since the 2007 incident and expressed confidence that the surveillance equipment would aid in the capture of the two robbers involved in the May 2011 attempted armed robbery.

Peter Kosick, Hoven’s attorney, tells ABC News that, in his opinion, Walgreen’s should have commended his client for bravery. Police Lt. Delman Lange, after reviewing the surveillance video, told the local paper, “If it was me, I would have done the same thing.” Kosick says local residents are solidly behind his client. “I’d say 95 percent are in favor of what he did. It’s really outraged people on the street. They’re outraged by what Walgreen’s has done. They’re talking boycott, saying they will take their business to CVS or Wal-Mart.”

How do you feel about Jeremy Hoven’s actions and Walgreen’s decision to terminate his employment? Is he a hero or a vigilante?

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