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Monthly Archives: November 2012
An Act of Kindness in a Viral World
This photo went viral from NYPD’s FaceBook page. It shows Ofc. Larry DePrimo giving a pair of socks and winter boots he purchased to a homeless man. It has kind of a Norman Rockwell-esque feel that I think portrays an ideal of the Patrolman that is from a bygone era. I have recollections of officers giving money, meals, and personal items to people in need under all manner of conditions. I once watched one of our officers, who was universally detested by the squad, give his foot-long sub sandwich to a homeless guy. “Yeah, you need this more than I do.” Another officer went out and bought toothpaste, milk, and … Continue reading
CRKT Hissatsu Folding Knife Review
Columbia River Knife & Tool has always produced a very diverse line of sharp things. In collaboration with stellar knife designers such as Frank Centofante, Brian Tighe, Ken Onion, Flavio Ikoma, Kit Carson, Ron Lake, Pat Crawford, and still more, CRKT has brought us a galaxy of practical and artistic products. CRKT tapped into another talent for its Japanese-inspired series of Hissatsu knives. James Williams is a former U.S. Army officer with decades of experience in the martial arts and as a military and police trainer. In envisioning the Hissatsu folder, Williams said, “Our goal with the Hissatsu Folder was not to replace the fixed blade knife, but rather to … Continue reading
Posted in Knives
Tagged Columbia River Knife & Tool, CRKT, Hissatsu Folding Knife, Police Folding Knife
5 Comments
Retired FHP K9 Drake Dies Defending Home
Retired Florida Highway Patrol K9 Drake was shot multiple times at his master’s West Palm Beach home last Sunday by armed burglars. On Friday, Trooper Bobby Boody, Drake’s owner, and Dr. Ken Simmons flew K9 Drake to the University of Florida Veterinary Medical Center in Gainesville in a final attempt to save the wounded dog’s life. After a consult between Dr. Simmons, Trooper Boody, and UF veterinary surgeons, it was decided to put K9 Drake down to end his suffering. K9 Drake was euthanized at 6:14 Friday. Trooper Boody was not at home Sunday when three suspects shot K9 Drake through a sliding glass door as the dog tried to … Continue reading
Posted in K9, Off Duty
Tagged Florida Highway Patrol, K9 Dog Shot, K9 Drake, Trooper Bobby Boody
8 Comments
Suspect Drowns Detective’s Recorder
The Lakeland Ledger reports that suspect Patrick Townsend was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for possession of 32.4 grams of methamphetamine. The drugs were found in Townsend’s boxer shorts following a traffic stop. Townsend bragged to a detective, “Dude, that ain’t shit. I deal in keyes.” The detective recorded Townsend’s incriminating statements on a portable recorder. While handcuffed, Townsend was able to surreptitiously steal the detective’s recorder from a lobby desk. He concealed it under his arm and asked to go to the bathroom…and the device went to its watery grave. Back in the lobby, Townsend asked, “What are you looking for, (detective), your recorder?” After admitting to … Continue reading
Happy Thanksgiving Day
A bit late, but I didn’t feel like wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving Day until we got all our guys and gals home safe from tonight’s holiday shift. Now I’m thankful. I appreciate the sacrifices made by those who would rather be with loved ones than out wrestling with the less than civil part of our citizenry. I will tip a single malt scotch whisky to the Thin Blue Line shortly. And one to our forgiving families. Randall
Posted in Humor, Misc.
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New Kel-Tec CL-43 Flashlight
This is an image of the new Kel-Tec CL-43 flashlight that is a handheld aluminum-bodied, LED offering from the Cocoa, Florida gunmaker. The CL-43 boasts 420 lumens from a Cree XP-G LED emitter, running off three CR123 batteries. A rearward clicking button at the midpoint of the light switches the light-emitting diode on and off. I was aghast when I saw this photo. Kel-Tec says, “The switch is operated like the trigger of a gun…” Sympathetic reflex activity in the dominant hand could easily lead to a negligent discharge in this grip. I see what they are trying to accomplish from an ergonomic standpoint, but under stress I believe this … Continue reading
Posted in Firearms, Flashlights, Florida Companies, Officer Safety
Tagged Kel-Tec CL-43 flashlight
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FHP Trooper Jailed for Contempt of Court
Florida Highway Patrol Trooper John Costa was sentenced to five days in jail and a $500.00 fine for contempt of court for failing to appear for a DUI trial in Volusia County on October 30. Friday, Judge Belle Schumann made the contempt finding after Trooper Costa, who was aware of his subpoena, did not appear in court and would not answer phone calls or contacts at his front door by court liasons. According to Judge Schumann, “The essential facts constituting the criminal contempt charged are that Trooper Costa was a critical state witness in this case, under valid subpoena for trial, with actual and constructive knowledge that the trial was … Continue reading
Posted in Legal
Tagged Contempt of Court, Florida Highway Patrol, Stephanie Halcomb, Trooper John Costa
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The One-Ass-To-Risk Story
I see a lot of cars in the PD parking lot with a 1* shield logo sticker slapped on. I have asked a few of the vehicle owners if they know what it means. I usually get a vague response about a “police symbol” or some such generic exposition. I bought a Columbia River Knife and Tool M16 SRT folder back in the early 2000’s. Included in the knife’s box was a paragraph with a nice explanation about the 1* logo that was engraved on the blade: Gary Paul Johnston knows what it’s like to put your life on the line daily. He did it as a commander with the … Continue reading
Posted in Humor, Knives, SWAT
Tagged 1* logo, Big Red One, Gary Paul Johnston, One-Ass-To-Risk logo, Shaker Heights SWAT Team
3 Comments
New ArmaLaser TR1 Touch-Reflex Laser Sight Review
Gainesville, FL-based ArmaLaser, Inc., is best known for their Small Block laser sighting system which features a “touch activated” switching system. If you have not seen the video where they drop their gun-mounted laser 100 times from 10 feet onto concrete, I have included it below. Yeah, the laser still worked. A couple of months ago, I saw a gun magazine ad for a new ArmaLaser product in the works for the Kel-Tec P3AT/P32 series: the TR1 Touch-Reflex Laser. I liked its sleek look. Although the Small Block has its own touch activated switch and rugged construction, I can’t seem to get past its chunky profile. I’m shallow. ArmaLaser’s new … Continue reading
Thank You Veterans!
ThinBlueFlorida would like to thank all the veterans of the United States Armed Services for your honorable commitment, dedication, and service to our Country on this Veterans Day. Randall
Posted in Uncategorized
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Lakewood, CO Blue-on-Blue is a Safety Reminder
I read a CNN news report of a Blue-on-Blue shooting in Lakewood, CO yesterday where one officer accidentally killed another. Lakewood officers had surrounded a house where shots were reportedly fired by a suspect. After assisting in detaining three subjects on the front porch, Ofc. James Davies went to the backyard as a rear cover. Another officer in an adjoining yard could see Davies through a fence, but in the dark did not visually identify him as a police officer. After giving Davies commands to drop his gun, the other officer fired and killed Davies. Ofc. Davies was in full uniform at the time of the shooting and apparently did … Continue reading
NASGW Expo Coverage at GHG
Richard from GunsHolstersandGear.com is over at the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers Expo and Meeting in Orlando. The NASGW Expo is an exposition of hunting, sporting goods, and shooting sports equipment and accessories by wholesalers, manufacturers, and independent sales representatives. Follow the coverage here: GHG NASGW Randall
Posted in Media, Misc., SHOT Show
Tagged National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers
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Most Important Thing I Did Today
Protect Your Country. Protect Your Freedom. Protect Your Rights. Randall 1:21 am: Well, that shit didn’t work… Sorry.
Posted in Politics
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Police Field Training and Natural Selection
I am no longer an active Field Training Officer, but I am now in charge of them on my shift. As an FTO supervisor, I had the duty this week of accepting the resignation of one of our recruit officers. It’s part of our natural selection. For the last twenty-plus years, I have been involved in this drill in one capacity or another. We hire a nice kid, see him/her through the Academy, mold them further during department familiarization, then introduce them to the real job in a field training car. Percentages vary class by class, but generally anywhere from 10-50% of our recruits do not make it to being … Continue reading
Posted in Misc., Officer Safety, Street
Tagged FTO, Police Field Training Officer, Rookie Cop
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Tampa PD Makes a Music Video
I’m too old to get the reference, but here’s Tampa PD’s video of Call Me Maybe. Everyone is a good sport, including Chief Castor. Randall