Wilfred E. Morin, 31, dog warden,, saved Michael S. Albee, 6, from being shot, Burlington, Connecticut, May 25, 1966. Michael, waiting at a school bus stop, was abducted by a man and taken to the latter’s home near a steep hill heavily covered with underbrush. Obtaining two loaded shotguns and extra ammunition, the man took Michael about 780 feet up the hill to a ledge, where he built a barricade of rocks. Police who had been notified gathered at the edge of a wooded area at the foot of the hill. They called to the man to release Michael, but he said he would not. Morin arrived as the man’s sister, accompanied by a policeman, started up the hill to talk to him. They were within 300 feet of the barricade when the man leaned over the top of the rocks with a shotgun in his hand. At shouts of warning from the police, the woman dropped to the ground. The man fired, wounding the policeman. He and the woman moved down the hill. Morin, who knew the man casually, called to him and identified himself. When the man said he would like some water, Morin said he would bring it to him if he would then release Michael. The man agreed. Police warned Morin not to approach the man lest he be shot, but Morin said he was willing to take the risk. Carrying a bottle of water with him, Morin proceeded up the hill. Morin was within 480 feet of the barricade the man shouted that he had decided not to give up Michael. The police captain called to Morin not to go any farther. Morin dropped to the ground behind a tree and waited briefly. He then proceeded up the hill, calling to the man who aimed his shotgun at him. Continuing to behind the barricade, Morin gave the water to the man and tried to persuade him to surrender. The man refused but told Morin to take Michael. As Morin left the barricade with Michael, the man crouched behind the rocks with his gun aimed down the hill. Morin moved down the hill to the wooded area with Michael. Meanwhile two policemen had moved up other sides of the hill to positions above the man. They called to him that he was covered. The man shot at one of the policemen, and both fired at him. The man was fatally wounded.
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