Ehhh... Maybe while braking, tires do trump all in that case. But AWD/4WD does help you stop in some circumstances. You don't want to brake sometimes if the roads are *that* bad.

If you let off the gas in a 2wd car and let your engine take some load, vs. letting off the gas in an AWD car, you've got more friction on the ground because of the fact that you've got all 4 tires doing some engine braking. 2 points of contact > 4 points of contact. Combine both and that's idea.

Honestly though, I think OP's main point was "Hey, you in the 4wd mall crawler dually diesel with a 20" lift, don't be a dick and help someone out if you see someone that needs it"