On Jan. 6, 2008, a 39-year-old Illinois man lost his life when he was shot by police. The reason was he pulled out a gray toy pistol that looked so realistic the police thought they were under attack.

On Oct. 5, 2007, in Bakersfield, California, a 49-year-old man was shot by two police officers when he pulled out a gun that was a toy but looked so authentic police again thought they were the target.

In February of 2004 a 14-year-old Lakewood, California, boy was shot and wounded when sheriff’s deputies thought what was a toy pellet gun was also real.

All these incidents are cited by the International Health and Epidemiology Research Center. In fact, there are 72 such incidents on the center’s website all detailing events where a toy gun looked so authentic law enforcement couldn’t tell the difference at a distance.

During the annual May citywide cleanup, Ironton workers found a BB pellet gun that once more looked so realistic, at first they thought it was a real gun. That is why not only did the Ironton Police Department secure the toy weapon, but let the public know what had happened by posting a photograph and information on its Facebook page.

“If a police officer approached someone pointing this ‘toy’ at them, it would most likely not end well for whoever was holding it,” the department posted.

The police could have simply secured the gun and followed necessary protocol and be done with it. But IPD took that extra step to let the public know what happened and how it should be careful about handling — and brandishing — such “toys.”

Bravo to them, as education like this could save lives.