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This event just happened to me and my family. It's 2:40 AM, I'm asleep, my next door neighbor calls, (who just happens to be my sister in-law), and says there is someone on the front porch ringing her door bell. Her husband is out of town. GREAT. I tell her to call the police. I get up to go see who's standing on the front porch. Did not get the 870 out yet. My thought is it is a crazed crack head looking for some $. Lots of robberies in this area. We live in a rural area and our houses are about 30-40 yards apart. It's dark and I can't see from my side window who it is. My spot light and guns are in the cellar. The phone rings again, she says they are now banging on the door. (should've told her to turn on the light.) She's very scared. I'm scared thinking about how to stay out of jail. I tell her that I'm getting my gun out and to remain calm. (Should've told her to get in the room with her kid and lock the door.) Go to gun safe, (Dial combo model, my preset dialing was off, shoulda got electronic). Had to try 3 times to get safe open. (Will be buying a small electronic combo tactical safe, make that two. one for tactical shotgun in cellar and one for a hand gun in the bedroom). I don't own a hand gun, yet. I do not turn on any lights. trying to keep element of surprise and my night vision. We have night lights throughout the house. Used flash light to dial combo. (Need red light mounted above dial). Get the 870 out and load (3) 2-3/4" shells, (3-1/2's hurt my shoulder). Gun on safety. Go upstairs. Look through windows as best as possible to right and left. Is this a setup to draw me out? Unlock front door, step out with 870 and spot light, looking to the left in the direction of the person banging on my sister inlaws door. Shine spot light, (Bright LED type, excellent light), on the person approx 30 yards Not a very large person. I call out, "What are you doing !" Reply's, "I'm looking for Bill". (My brother inlaws name, at least for this post). I realize its a female at this point. I look behind me during this dialog. Trying to determine if there is someone sneaking up from behind. I reply, "Identify yourself !" Whaaatt? I didn't stutter or whisper the first time. I reply again, "IDENTIFY YOURSELF, WHO ARE YOU !" She reply's, "I'm Bills girlfriend". "UUGGHH!" I go in my mind, but I do not let my guard down. I'm still concerned about my flank and I keep checking it. Cops still have yet to show. I call out again, "What do you want?" "I'm looking for Bill." At this point I'm trying to keep this person where they are unti the cops show up. I see lights coming down the road so I put the 870 inside the doorway and continue to spot light the girl. The cop pulls up, gets out, starts to walk towards the front porch with his dinky flashlight, I call out " Do you see her officer?", He reply's "yes". I move off my porch towards them , (still spot lighting her). The cop says, "Why are you shining the light on her?" By this time he is 10 feet from her and I'm about 25 feet away. I'm thinking, what the fugg kind of comment is this? This guy knows who I am! I want to say "Because it's dark out and your piece of shit light sucks". But I say, "There's a strange person banging on my sisiter in laws front door at 2:40 AM and I want to know who it is." He was talking to me like I was the one doing something wrong! He begins to ask her what she's doing, she starts to explain. My sister in law opens the door, the girl starts to explain again. I go home, thinking where's Bill?, I got three rounds to unload. I take the 870 back to the safe, eject the three shells and put it away. This was a serious, serious, situation that I hope I never have to get into again.