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Burn Victim Dies Save Email Print
Officer had initially saved suicidal man in July
Posted: 8:17 PM Sep 7, 2008
 Last Updated: 1:28 PM Sep 8, 2008
 Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com
16 comments
A | A | A

A man who set himself on fire in front of police officers in July has died.

Early on the morning of July 28th, officers spotted a pickup near 16th and Pershing that matched the description of one driven by a man considered suicidal. When they tried to stop the vehicle, the driver took off.

The pursuit ended about a mile away at 17th and Fowler where officers say 40-year-old Junior Roof jumped out and poured gasoline on himself, then struck a match. An officer jumped on Roof and rolled him in the grass.

He had been hospitalized at the burn ward of the Nebraska Medical Center where he died.
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Posted by: Joesph on Sep 8, 2008 at 10:17 PM
I pray for Junior's family that they find peace in knowing that Junior is with the Lord. All his pain and suffering are gone now and he has found they peace that he was looking for.
Posted by: Juniors Close Friend on Sep 8, 2008 at 08:33 PM
I continue to read comment after comment about Junior Roof and the bottom line is, he is, unfortunately, no longer with us or he could answer all your questions. He told me that the two most important people in his life, were the girlfriend he loved for the past 3-4 years and planned to marry, and the mother that raised him. I'm sure they are the two hurting more than any one of us. Lets pray for them so that that can heal from the loss of the man who loved them, and so they can find a peace in there heart right now and be able to carry on with all the good memories that Junior left behind. I hope you keep them in your prayers as I have.
Posted by: DHB on Sep 8, 2008 at 01:59 PM
I asked because it seems to me most, if not all, critical burn patients are in fact transferred to St. E's after being initially evaluated at one of the Omaha hospitals.
Posted by: Ryan on Sep 8, 2008 at 01:21 PM
Anonymous - I'm not an expert, but it's pretty common knowledge that tasers can cause burns. They deliver high voltage at a low current - the recipe for creating sparks that can jump large gaps. Tasers, while dangerous, generally have less severe and long lasting side effects than the other reasonable alternative - bullets.
Posted by: EAM on Sep 8, 2008 at 12:57 PM
I have to disagree with the St. E's comment. The burn unit at the Nebraska Medical Center takes critical patients and have saved many lives! The Omaha burn center is just as qualified and experienced as St. E's.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 8, 2008 at 12:49 PM
DHB, Perhaps because many uninsured individuals go to UNMC? Just a thought, I may be incorrect though.
Posted by: Henry on Sep 8, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Tasers can start fires in the right conditions.
Posted by: c0ntagion on Sep 8, 2008 at 12:20 PM
The burn unit a person goes to depends on who is taking trauma calls that day. The Med Center takes traumas on Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday. Since this happened in the early hours on Monday, it's still The Med Center's trauma day. If it had been Creighton's, the man would have been flown to St. E's.
Posted by: Little Ole Me on Sep 8, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Not in St E's because Clarkson has a burn unit... Maybe not as high speed as St. E's, but hey, they gotta learn and grow somehow... Bottom line... Darwin's theory, delayed, but verified.
Posted by: DHB on Sep 8, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Why wasn't he at the St. Elizabeth's burn unit in Lincoln?
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 8, 2008 at 11:08 AM
critic, if a taser delivers a spark, you're right. I'm assuming tasers don't spark, or we'd be burning other people by tasering them. Any experts?
Posted by: llr on Sep 8, 2008 at 11:07 AM
critic...the man had already ignited himself.
Posted by: critic on Sep 8, 2008 at 07:31 AM
Anonymous....The taser will deliver a spark....A spark that could ignite gasoline...Good thing your fast thinking didnt get you a POLICE BADGE!
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 8, 2008 at 12:55 AM
Maybe if they had tased the man, he would still be alive. I just home no one sues the police for not tasing someone.
Posted by: Kyle on Sep 8, 2008 at 12:28 AM
I applaude the officer who tried to save him. He did all he could.
Posted by: lorrie on Sep 7, 2008 at 10:56 PM
we have lost a dear person who had touched alot of lives and it saddens me that he is gone so young he will never be forgotten
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