In September, 1996, spree killer Jerry Hessler was sentenced to death for the murders of four people. His death toll could easily have been 20 or more had not an armed citizen stopped his murderous rampage.
On November 19, 1995, Brian and Tracey Stevens and their infant daughter were shot to death in their home. Two others in the home were wounded but survived the attack. The Stevens had worked with Hessler at Bank One near Columbus, Ohio, but Hessler had been fired for sexually harassing several female coworkers, including Tracey Stevens.
Hessler, armed with a 9mm Lugercaliber semi-automatic pistol and wearing a bullet-proof vest, had decided to kill everyone whom he felt was responsible for his sad, shattered life. After murdering the Stevens family, he drove to his former supervisor's house and shot him.
The supervisor survived the attack, but was permanently disabled.
Hesslerthen drove to Worthington, Ohio, and shot and killed Thane Griffin, the father of a woman who had once rejected him.
Driving north to Ashland, Ohio, Hessler checked the list of people he intended to kill. There were still eight names on the list.
Doug and Judy Stanton were next. It was 10:05 Sunday night when the Stantons received two calls warning them that Hessler was on a killing rampage, and that they might be next. Judy Stanton had dated Hessler when they were both in college, but she quickly broke off the relationship, married Doug Stanton, and now had four children. Hessler blamed her rejection of him for ruining his life and had stalked the Stantons off and on throughout their marriage.
Doug grabbed two handguns as Judy herded the children into the kitchen. They planned to flee to a safe house already prepared for them.
Doug turned out all the lights in the house, turned to Judy and said, "Stay in the house for 15 seconds to make sure everything's clear:"
When he stepped out on the porch, he saw Jerry Hessler coming up the back steps. The disturbed man wore a trench coat and held a gun in his hand.
Doug darted back into the house and ordered Judy and the children to lie face-down on the floor.
Then he knelt behind the refrigerator, using it for cover.
Hessler fired three rounds into the door, then kicked it open. He suddenly burst inside and began firing again. The bullets blazed within inches of Judy and the children.
Doug, using the handle of the refrigerator to steady his aim, shot back. The first shots from his Colt.45 Model 1911 were high and wide, so he adjusted his aim. One of his bullets found its mark, and Hessler staggered backward. He fell off the porch, then lurched to his feet and backed away to his car.
Doug made sure that his family was safe, said a quick prayer, then called 9-1-1. A few minutes later, Hessler was arrested. Investigating officers reported that during the gunfight, Hessler had fired 11 rounds and Stanton had fired seven.
Hessler's hit-list was eventually published. Most of the names on the list were his former co-workers at Bank One. Hessler currently sits on Ohio's death row, awaiting execution. Doug Stanton later stated, "Some people are quick to espouse the virtues of gun restrictions, saying that if just one life is saved, it will be worth it. But because the Stanton family had a gun, six lives were saved. Had there been restrictions on gun ownership, the Stantons would be dead. This is a fact-not a hypothetical situation:"
Doug Stanton was being modest. In addition to saving the lives of his family, he saved the lives of many other potential victims.
And only the local media carried the story.
This page was last updated on