Monthly Archives: July 2012

Police K9’s, Pursuits, and Multitasking

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Randall

A shootout in Fortville, Indiana two days ago had me thinking about the additional multitasking a K9 handler must go through in a vehicle pursuit.  The “routine traffic stop” had devolved into a car chase during which the suspect, James Lockhart III, abruptly brought his vehicle to a stop, exited, and quickly fired on Fortville Police K9 Ofc. Matt Fox. Bullets tore through the windshield of Ofc. Fox’s marked Dodge Charger, striking the officer in the left forearm, left hand, and forehead.  Ofc. Fox’s ballistic vest stopped a round to his chest.  He was shot before he could get out of his patrol car. I have vivid recollections of many … Continue reading →

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Armored Food Truck

Posted on July 28, 2012 by Randall

I’m thinking I’ve got this budget thing licked. Randall

Posted in Humor | Tagged | 2 Comments

Blackhawk! Blades Kalista and Kalista II Knife Review

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Randall

Back when he was working for Blackhawk! Products Group, Michael Janich designed a number of tactical knives such as the Be-Wharned, Tatang, and the Kalista.  Janich left Blackhawk! in late 2009 to become Spyderco’s Special Projects Manager. Janich brings a vast amount of expertise to the personal defense game, and this is especially true in knife combatives.  His grasp of blade training and implementation seems to directly influence the construction and dimensions of his knife designs.  Further, Janich’s base of knowledge affects the performance of his knives in the hand. One of Janich’s contributions to Blackhawk!’s fixed blade line-up is the Kalista.  Roughly, a Kalista would be a practitioner of … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Knives | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Tragedies Rarely Lead to Closure

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Randall

I do not consider myself an overly philosophical kind of guy.  But there is a nagging, almost rhetorical, question which I have heard many times at the scene of a tragedy and that is, “Why?”  I just read another headline in the mainstream media about the mass murder in Colorado that said something like, “Aurora Searches for Answers While Community Grieves.” At the scene of a homicide, especially ones involving extreme violence, it is not uncommon to hear distraught victims, loved-ones, or witnesses ask for closure to make sense of something senseless.  Whether in consoling these individuals or in attempting to extract necessary information, their fixations can be both saddening … Continue reading →

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Police Back-Up Revolver

Posted on July 19, 2012 by Randall

Predominantly, I carry a back-up revolver on duty.  I have tried auto-pistols in calibers ranging from .380 ACP up to .40 S&W cal.  None of them quite fit my criteria is several ways. Of the autos I own or have tested, the .380’s always seemed too small (in the hand) and a .40 was too much gun (a brick on the ankle).  I want something concealed carry size, but one on which I can find sure purchase.  Grip size and carry considerations are at the forefront of my personal selection process. Besides these, I am concerned about the functioning of a semi-automatic in a truly close quarters fight.  Revolvers fire … Continue reading →

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Majority Supports Stand Your Ground

Posted on July 17, 2012 by Randall

Mason-Dixon Polling and Research, Inc. conducted a telephone poll of 800 register voters across Florida from July 9, 2012 through July 11, 2012.  One of the questions involved Florida’s Stand Your Ground law.  Overwhelmingly, the voters polled supported Stand Your Ground.  It is interesting to see how the support and opposition are divided by gender, race, and region in the percentages.  Below are the results from Mason-Dixon: Question:  Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law states that a person is justified in the use of deadly force to defend themselves if they reasonably believe that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death, great bodily harm, or to prevent the commission of … Continue reading →

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Flawed Headline: “Lake County Deputies Kill Wrong Suspect”

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Randall

This is an unfortunate set of circumstances.  Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a request for assistance from the Leesburg Police in locating an attempted murder suspect.  The suspect, Jonathan Brown, and his motorcycle were spotted in the Blueberry Hills apartment complex at around 0130 hrs. yesterday. Not knowing where Brown was, deputies went to the apartment closest to the parked motorcycle.  They knocked on the door without announcing that they were the police.  Andrew Scott, the resident, opened the door and pointed a handgun at the deputies.  A deputy shot and killed Scott.  Brown was later found in an adjacent apartment in the same building. Blame is already … Continue reading →

Posted in Media, Street | Tagged , , | 49 Comments

Futuristic Plate Frame from S&S Precision

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Randall

At the SOFIC Show, S&S Precision had their new Plate Frame on display.  It is eye-catching in its high technology look and design.  The Plate Frame itself is a thermally molded polymer that snaps on to the ballistic armor.  The Frame is skeletonized to reduce weight.  Its lattice also provide multiple mounting points. The Plate Frame is manufactured to fit on specific brand and models of armor plates, but S&S Precision plans to provide frames sized for all popular types of armor..  The plates themselves must be environmentally sealed, especially if used in a maritime context, since the frame does not enclose the plate. The harness system of the Plate … Continue reading →

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Death Notification Delivery Tips for Law Enforcement

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Randall

I have had the sad duty of delivering quite a few death notifications in my career.  It is one of the more difficult parts of our job from an emotional standpoint.  For me, the worst part of the notification has to be in the moments as you approach the house, or apartment, or room where the unsuspecting family members are.  They have no idea you are about to change their lives in a very significant way… Knock, knock. Yes? I’m Officer Smith and this is Chaplain Jones.  May we come in? Why, yes– Please have a seat, ma’am.  I am sorry to tell you your son, John, was killed in … Continue reading →

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Rob Pincus on the Evolution of the OODA Loop

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Randall

I.C.E. Training Company owner and Combat Focus Shooting developer Rob Pincus has a unique spin on U.S.A.F. Col. John R. Boyd’s OODA Loop from an instructor’s perspective.  Pincus’ article is over here on the I.C.E. Training Updates: Evolution of the OODA Loop I won’t attempt to paraphrase what Mr. Pincus derives from the decision-making cycle conceptualized by Col. Boyd; it speaks for itself.  I found the article thought provoking and a good read. Randall

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SOG Knives FastHawk Review

Posted on July 3, 2012 by Randall

Some missions require specialized tools.  We are not always loaded down with them.  There is a balance between power and portability that is weighed toward portable in mobile operations, unless your team has a MOLLE-covered Tactical Donkey.  Hmmm… SOG Specialty Knives & Tool‘s FastHawk is a scaled down version of their popular Tactical Tomahawk.  Light and easy to carry, I found the FastHawk to be a good compromise of size and functionality.  At 12 ½” in length and only 19 ounces, it is a compact package. The FastHawk can be used to cut, chop, dig, pry, and hammer.  I did these things during some late night T&E sessions.  I started … Continue reading →

Posted in Knives, SHOT Show | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Bullet-Free Sky Aims to End Celebratory Gunfire

Posted on July 3, 2012 by Randall

On New Year’s Eve 2012, so called “celebratory gunfire” launched a bullet skyward that struck 13 year old Ruskin resident Diego Duran in the head.  Duran was seriously injured and was rushed to surgery.  He was in a coma for a month.  Duran has spent months after that in recovery and rehabilitation. Duran’s family has begun a Bullet-Free Sky campaign to raise awareness for the dangers of firing guns into the air and hopefully prevent tragic incidents such as the one that befell Diego six months ago. On the very same New Year’s Eve night Duran was shot, officers from my squad responded to a call of a child hit … Continue reading →

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