kevbarand
02-02-2010, 05:21 PM
November 2007.
This is not a "bodyguard" story but a "Law Enforcement" story. The principles hold true to both.
There had been a string of armed robberies at pharmacies. The suspect, only described as a white male, 5'8", with brown hair driving a black older BMW, armed with a handgun, had been hitting pharmacies in a 4 mile radius about every 7-9 days. He targeted narcotic pain patches. After 6 robberies we had a blurry picture form a surveillance camera and that weak physical but the MO was solid. It was the 8th day since his last hit and everyone was on edge.
It never fails but every time you are able to squeeze in a meal you are interrupted and this was no different. Just as I am about to take my first bite a steady tone comes across the radio (signaling a very high priority call is about to be broadcast)
Dispatch 1-Charles-50 stand-by to copy a 211 in progress.
1C50 Go ahead
Dispatch 211 in progress at the Walgreens XX-XXX Washington street, The suspect (described above) is at the pharmacy counter, brandished a silver handgun in a fanny pack, the clerk is stalling suspect but was advised to give him what he wants.
At this point we all knew that this was the moment. Previously, the calls were after the fact but the suspect was recognized by the same pharmacy tech he had robbed twice before (smart right).
Normally we have to get approval from a supervisor to roll with lights and siren blaring but we all saw this as an exception to the rule. Every unit in a 7 mile radius was rolling to this which equated to about 20 guys, some from the neighboring sheriff station. I was not 1C50 but I quickly arrive and located the suspects BMW on the north side of the building backed into a space. I blocked it in and advised dispatch of the plate. Dispatch quickly advise the plate returned confidential to a large agency in California. (Meaning the guy is a cop and has the same training I do)
A brief description of the building; The front door is on the north end of the west facing wall. There is a covered sidewalk around the building with large pillars every 10 feet or so. The pillars are about 2' square.
I quickly take up a position behind the pillar nearest to his vehicle and the wait begins. I was quickly joined by a corporal, 1LA70, and multiple other deputies but I had tunnel vision. I knew at any moment this guy was headed my way. I don't need to tell you but that was a long 3 min.
The suspect walks out, just as described, with a brown paper bag in his right hand and a blue fanny pack in his left. I immediately start yelling commands, "Drop the weapon...Drop the weapon." The suspect calmly places the brown paper bag on the concrete bench next to him and we lock eyes. I continued yelling, "Drop the bag...Drop the bag" the suspect slowly begins to raise his left hand clenching the fanny pack bringing it to the center of his chest. At this point I can't hear anyone else yelling and I feel really alone.
The suspect slowly begins bringing his right hand to the fanny pack. I feel like this guy is forcing my hand. I have no choice but to neutralize the threat. I ever so slowly begin to squeeze the trigger with all these thoughts racing through my head. The most important are the elements of marksmanship but "I can't believe this is happening" had its place.
I have fired thousands of rounds through my duty weapon and know just when it is about to fire. The trigger reaches that point and from the westside of the building runs the K9 Dep. (Charles-K9-2) with his shepherd in tow on a short lead. CK92 is 6'5" and has now become my backstop. I back off of the trigger with another option running through my head, "Let the dog go...let the dog go...LET THE F'ING DOG GO!"
I did not think about this at the time but the suspect had his back to CK92 and he had no idea the suspect was contemplating suicide by cop. I yelled out more commands with my backdrop still in position. I begin to squeeze the trigger again with my aim adjusted to the suspects low center mass, confident that my round will hit its mark.
I again reach that point just before sending this guy to his maker when he drops to his knees with a scream and a grimace of extreme pain on his face. 1LA70 flanked the suspect with his baton in hand using a pillar for concealment and swung for the fences striking the suspect in his left thigh 3" above his knee and 2 additional times with follow-up strikes. :copstick:
At this point all I could hear was yelling and saw my beat partners running in from every direction. I approach and holster my weapon just prior to sweeping his arm behind his back, applying the wrist lock of all wrist locks. A female partner assists me and the cuffs are on and thankfully its over.
It is weird what stress can do to a person. I did not hear anyone else giving commands and must have looked like an idiot when I asked everyone why they were so quiet. Come to find out they were all yelling and one of them arrived and racked an 870 not more than 3 feet behind me. I had no idea! From the moment I first saw the suspect to Code 4 Suspect in Custody must have only been 25 seconds. It felt like the longest staring contest of my life.
I came to find out later that when he was checked out at the hospital his wrist was fractured. This was the same wrist I twisted up when I took him into custody and was on the opposite side that the baton strikes landed. He was a medically retired peace officer with terminal cancer and suicide by cop was his intention from the second he saw me in his way. He just needed more time to get the courage. It was the end of the year and he had reached his max benefit more than a month ago on Rx meds. A sad story all the way around.
It was even sadder when I helped serve the warrant at the suspect's home later that night and was tasked with keeping an eye on his young daughters while the Investigators searched for a few items. It was ironic that I was the guy that fielded most the questions you would expect from concerned kids that were woken up at 2am by 5 police officers. All I could think, unhealthy as it is, I almost took the father away from these kids.
I had no idea this was going to be this long. I hope it was worth the read.
This is not a "bodyguard" story but a "Law Enforcement" story. The principles hold true to both.
There had been a string of armed robberies at pharmacies. The suspect, only described as a white male, 5'8", with brown hair driving a black older BMW, armed with a handgun, had been hitting pharmacies in a 4 mile radius about every 7-9 days. He targeted narcotic pain patches. After 6 robberies we had a blurry picture form a surveillance camera and that weak physical but the MO was solid. It was the 8th day since his last hit and everyone was on edge.
It never fails but every time you are able to squeeze in a meal you are interrupted and this was no different. Just as I am about to take my first bite a steady tone comes across the radio (signaling a very high priority call is about to be broadcast)
Dispatch 1-Charles-50 stand-by to copy a 211 in progress.
1C50 Go ahead
Dispatch 211 in progress at the Walgreens XX-XXX Washington street, The suspect (described above) is at the pharmacy counter, brandished a silver handgun in a fanny pack, the clerk is stalling suspect but was advised to give him what he wants.
At this point we all knew that this was the moment. Previously, the calls were after the fact but the suspect was recognized by the same pharmacy tech he had robbed twice before (smart right).
Normally we have to get approval from a supervisor to roll with lights and siren blaring but we all saw this as an exception to the rule. Every unit in a 7 mile radius was rolling to this which equated to about 20 guys, some from the neighboring sheriff station. I was not 1C50 but I quickly arrive and located the suspects BMW on the north side of the building backed into a space. I blocked it in and advised dispatch of the plate. Dispatch quickly advise the plate returned confidential to a large agency in California. (Meaning the guy is a cop and has the same training I do)
A brief description of the building; The front door is on the north end of the west facing wall. There is a covered sidewalk around the building with large pillars every 10 feet or so. The pillars are about 2' square.
I quickly take up a position behind the pillar nearest to his vehicle and the wait begins. I was quickly joined by a corporal, 1LA70, and multiple other deputies but I had tunnel vision. I knew at any moment this guy was headed my way. I don't need to tell you but that was a long 3 min.
The suspect walks out, just as described, with a brown paper bag in his right hand and a blue fanny pack in his left. I immediately start yelling commands, "Drop the weapon...Drop the weapon." The suspect calmly places the brown paper bag on the concrete bench next to him and we lock eyes. I continued yelling, "Drop the bag...Drop the bag" the suspect slowly begins to raise his left hand clenching the fanny pack bringing it to the center of his chest. At this point I can't hear anyone else yelling and I feel really alone.
The suspect slowly begins bringing his right hand to the fanny pack. I feel like this guy is forcing my hand. I have no choice but to neutralize the threat. I ever so slowly begin to squeeze the trigger with all these thoughts racing through my head. The most important are the elements of marksmanship but "I can't believe this is happening" had its place.
I have fired thousands of rounds through my duty weapon and know just when it is about to fire. The trigger reaches that point and from the westside of the building runs the K9 Dep. (Charles-K9-2) with his shepherd in tow on a short lead. CK92 is 6'5" and has now become my backstop. I back off of the trigger with another option running through my head, "Let the dog go...let the dog go...LET THE F'ING DOG GO!"
I did not think about this at the time but the suspect had his back to CK92 and he had no idea the suspect was contemplating suicide by cop. I yelled out more commands with my backdrop still in position. I begin to squeeze the trigger again with my aim adjusted to the suspects low center mass, confident that my round will hit its mark.
I again reach that point just before sending this guy to his maker when he drops to his knees with a scream and a grimace of extreme pain on his face. 1LA70 flanked the suspect with his baton in hand using a pillar for concealment and swung for the fences striking the suspect in his left thigh 3" above his knee and 2 additional times with follow-up strikes. :copstick:
At this point all I could hear was yelling and saw my beat partners running in from every direction. I approach and holster my weapon just prior to sweeping his arm behind his back, applying the wrist lock of all wrist locks. A female partner assists me and the cuffs are on and thankfully its over.
It is weird what stress can do to a person. I did not hear anyone else giving commands and must have looked like an idiot when I asked everyone why they were so quiet. Come to find out they were all yelling and one of them arrived and racked an 870 not more than 3 feet behind me. I had no idea! From the moment I first saw the suspect to Code 4 Suspect in Custody must have only been 25 seconds. It felt like the longest staring contest of my life.
I came to find out later that when he was checked out at the hospital his wrist was fractured. This was the same wrist I twisted up when I took him into custody and was on the opposite side that the baton strikes landed. He was a medically retired peace officer with terminal cancer and suicide by cop was his intention from the second he saw me in his way. He just needed more time to get the courage. It was the end of the year and he had reached his max benefit more than a month ago on Rx meds. A sad story all the way around.
It was even sadder when I helped serve the warrant at the suspect's home later that night and was tasked with keeping an eye on his young daughters while the Investigators searched for a few items. It was ironic that I was the guy that fielded most the questions you would expect from concerned kids that were woken up at 2am by 5 police officers. All I could think, unhealthy as it is, I almost took the father away from these kids.
I had no idea this was going to be this long. I hope it was worth the read.