Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy Down

Posted on September 22, 2015 by Randall
Deputy Bill Myers

Deputy Bill Myers

Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Bill Myers was murdered on a domestic violence injunction call this morning.  After serving the injunction, Dep. Myers was shot and killed from behind by the suspect.  The press release below is from OCSO’s public information officer.

A longtime veteran of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office who rejoined the agency to serve part-time after retiring in 2013 has died at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center following an early morning shooting in Shalimar.

Sixty-four year old Deputy Myers retired from the OCSO in November 2013 after nearly 25 years with the agency. He was re-hired on a part-time basis in January of this year to assist with Civil Process.

Investigators say Myers had just finished serving a domestic violence injunction to 33- year old Joel Dixon Smith of Navarre at Cotton and Gates Law Firm on Plew Avenue around 8:20 a.m. Deputy Myers was walking outside when he was shot multiple times in the back, including a gunshot wound to the rear of his head.

Continue reading →

Posted in Officer Down, Officer Safety | Leave a comment

Florida’s New Revenge Porn Statute

Posted on September 17, 2015 by Randall

imageFlorida’s Revenge Porn statute, formally known as Sexual Cyberharassment, will take effect on October 1, 2015.  FSS 784.049 begins with the Legislature’s rationale for the law, that people have a right to privacy for explicit sexual images of themselves taken consensually.  It recognizes the harm that can come if the images are made public through the Internet.

Following requisite legal definitions, the law makes it a first degree, probable cause misdemeanor to willfully and maliciously sexually cyberharass another person.  It is a third degree felony for a previously convicted sexual cyberharasser to commit a second or subsequent incident.

The statute goes on to outline a victim’s right to receive injunctive relief, monetary damage awards of $5,000 or more in actual damages, and reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. The final provisions Continue reading →

Posted in Legal | 1 Comment

9/11 Back-Up Gun

Posted on September 11, 2015 by Randall

imageThis is NYPD Ofc. Walter Weaver’s Smith & Wesson model 640 back-up firearm that was uncovered in the rubble of the World Trade Center after the 9/11 terror attacks.  Ofc. Weaver was last seen on the sixth floor of the North Tower on that day helping survivors. The NRA Museums’ Facebook page displayed this photo montage today.  Ofc. Weaver’s service and sacrifice are not forgotten.

Randall

Posted in Firearms, Misc. | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

9/11 Today

Posted on September 11, 2015 by Randall

American-Flag-2048x1536-iPad-wallpaper_1I attended a 9/11 remembrance at our City Hall today.  The Police/Fire honor guard looked sharp.  Some dignitaries spoke and one of our chaplains led an appropriate prayer.  The moment of silence was the most emotional time of the ceremony.  Reflected in others’ faces was the sadness of lives lost, respect for those who served and gave all, and patriotic pride for a country that came together during tragedy.  God bless America.

Randall

Posted in Misc. | Leave a comment

Texas Teen Has Deputy’s Back

Posted on September 6, 2015 by Randall

imageThis photo and the text below were posted to Harris County, TX Sheriff’s Deputy Tommi Kelley’s Facebook page.

Tommi Jones Kelley
Ok, so EARLY this morning I was pumping gas in my patrol car (reason I look like a Hot Mess!)…& add it was pouring rain…
When this teenager I’ve never met before is standing right behind me & says, “ma’am, do u mind if I stand here behind you while u get ur gas?”
My initial response was “and why?”…
His reply, “to make sure You stay safe!”
Finished pumping my gas & he was still standing there, in the rain 😕.
He then just walked off & started to get into the passenger side of a car & I asked the driver if she was his Mom & indeed she was. I told her she has an amazing son & she said he wanted to make sure no one hurt me.
Yes, I’m the one with the gun on my hip while he stood there empty handed, but he for sure had my “6” while my back was turned.

With all the terror going on nationwide, this reassured me there are still some pretty awesome individuals out there!
Thank you for ur concern Mckinley Zoellner.

One of Kelley’s co-workers, Harris SO Deputy Darren Goforth, was murdered a week and a half ago while pumping gas.  Texas is leading the nation with ten law enforcement fatalities so far this year.  It is a tough time for Lone Star LEO’s.

Reading Deputy Kelley’s post really made me smile, especially after all the flak we have been enduring in the Media.  Good people like McKinley are out there.  It is important to be reminded that these are the folks we are sworn to protect and serve.

Randall

Posted in Officer Safety, Street | Leave a comment

Arby’s Employee Refuses to a Serve Officer

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Randall
Ofc. J. Martin

Sgt. J. Martin

How would you feel if you were refused service at a restaurant solely because of how you looked? Apparently Sgt. Jennifer Martin of the Pembroke Pines Police Department knows the feeling.  An employee at an Arby’s declined to serve the uniformed officer.

Although the store manager provided her the food, he laughed about it and said his worker could decline to serve her.  Sgt. Martin asked for a refund.  Arby’s corporate issued an apology.  Dade County PBA called for a chain boycott and the employees’ termination.

Pembroke Pines Chief Dan Giustino said, “I am offended and appalled that an individual within our community would treat a police officer in such a manner.  It is unacceptable.”

While the incident is disappointing, it is not surprising considering the chilly climate toward law enforcement officers in the Mainstream Media.  For a refreshing counterpoint, check out Tim’s post on Gun Nuts Media titled, The Police Aren’t the Bad Guys.

Imagine what would happen if we based police service delivery on personal preferences…but, then, people expect us to be professionals.  Hey, if I were treated like this, I’d certainly wield my discretionary spending elsewhere.

Randall

Update:  Arby’s fired the manager and suspended the employee for two days.

photo:  Linkedin

Posted in Misc., Street | 2 Comments

K9 Dog Finds Child Porn

Posted on August 29, 2015 by Randall

imageAnimal conquers the electronic!  A K9 dog was responsible for taking down former Subway spokesman and future prisoner Jared Fogle. When authorities served a federal search warrant on Fogle’s residence last month, they were unable to find key evidence in a hand search by agents.  The dog saved the day.

Search warrants allow the named law enforcement officers to examine any location which might contain the evidence specified in the affidavit.  In child pornography investigations, evidence can be secreted on devices as large as a server or as small as a micro SD card, which means it could be hidden in an infinite number of Continue reading →

Posted in K9, Technology | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Odortec’s Skunk for Crowd Control

Posted on August 23, 2015 by Randall

image

How would you fancy someone “taking a chunk of rotting corpse from a stagnant sewer, placing it in a blender and spraying the filthy liquid in your face.”  Skunk brand crowd control liquid, made by Odortec Ltd., delivers that vile scenario, according to one Reuters reporter.  Sounds like The Running Dead.

We all know that dispersing unruly masses with smoke, CS, or OC can be effective if the crowd is given lawful orders, clear instructions, and viable escape routes.  Skunk is marketed as a “non-lethal malodorant” that comes with a strong incentive to flee from your own gag reflex.

Skunk’s formula is water-based, eco-friendly, biodegradable, non-flammable, and made from food-grade ingredients.  But don’t think it comes without a noxious parting gift. Unless you possess Odortec’s proprietary Continue reading →

Posted in Officer Safety, Street, Tactics, Technology | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Some Things I know from Street Patrol

Posted on August 20, 2015 by Randall

K9ChaseSome things I know from street patrol:

I’ve learned at least three ways to disable a GILLIG transit bus.

1203 on a tanker placard means gasoline–much danger.

Blue street reflectors indicate fire hydrants.  Don’t park near them at a structure fire.

When running lights and siren, use the inside or outside lanes at intersections for easier maneuvering.

If you are directing traffic, stand in the debris field in the center of the intersection.  It’s safer.

Your patrol car is like Wonder Woman’s invisible jet–everyone can see what happens inside.

Head wounds bleed profusely and are not necessarily life threatening…but bleeding from the ears is Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Street | 2 Comments

Viral Photo Sends the Right Message

Posted on August 13, 2015 by Randall

His Life MattersThis photo appeared yesterday on the Facebook page of the Trinity, TX Police Department.  Chief Steven Jones and Officer Donald Givens are throwing a little solidarity.  It was featured on Fox and Friends and has since been shared all around the Internet.  As a profession, we are experiencing some tough times.  We need to stand together, stay safe, and get the job done each day.

Randall

Posted in Misc. | 1 Comment

Cops to Assist Drug Dealers–For Free!

Posted on August 9, 2015 by Randall

imageMcIntosh County, GA Sheriff Stephen Jessup is offering his department’s services to help drug dealers remove their rivals.  Why should a dope peddler risk those pesky, inconvenient shootouts to solidify their market share?  Hire the cops to take out your trash!

MCSO hasn’t had any bites, yet, but I’m sure some of the more thoughtful dealers out there will give this generous offer serious consideration.

Randall

P.S.  For added fun, let the kids play this like a Mad Lib by inserting wacky words.  “My drug dealing competition is (noun) _a giraffe! _

 

Posted in Humor, Politics | Leave a comment

Smith & Wesson Centennial Revolvers Revisited

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Randall

Smith & Wesson Centennial Airweight with badgeDoes the pervasive plastic pistol have you feeling a bit listless and melancholy lately?  Striker-fired boredom setting in?  Well, perk up your life with a Smith & Wesson Centennial revolver!  Sometimes going “retro” can get you caught in a new frame of mind that will liven your dreary modern existence.

The quintessential J-frame revolver by Smith & Wesson has been around since its birth in 1950 as the Chief’s Special or, later, the Model 36.  Designed as a small, concealable handgun with moderate power from its .38 S&W Special chambering, the platform has morphed into many versions during its 60-plus years.

In Smith & Wesson-ese, the “Centennial” model, introduced in 1952 for S&W’s 100th birthday, was renamed the Model 40 in 1957.  The Model 40 series, known generically as Centennials, have an internal hammer, so they are visually distinctive by their lack of a hammer spur.  Without the spur, the 40’s are fired double Continue reading →

Posted in Firearms, Off Duty, Officer Safety, Street | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

G2 Research R.I.P. Expanding Bullets

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Randall

2Bullet technology is becoming more inventive with each primer strike.  These new projectiles from G2 Research may be more art than science, but they definitely push the marketing envelope.  The press release I received in my Inbox proclaimed, “Flying Hole Saw Defense Round.”  Uh-huh.

G2’s www.G2Rammo.com Radically Invasive Projectile (R.I.P.) means just that, RIP!  In fact, firing this bullet downrange is like firing a hole saw at a target.

The key to the R.I.P. round’s devastating effect is its exclusive bullet construction that causes the round to fragment into several separate controlled copper fragments thus causing more bleeding, trauma and pain all designed to stop an attacker quickly. The fragments are called trocars and the .380ACP, has 7 and there are 9 for all the other listed calibers.

Continue reading →

Posted in Firearms, Off Duty, Technology | Leave a comment

Hydrapak’s Durable First Wave Tactical Reservoir

Posted on July 8, 2015 by Randall

Hydrapak First Wave Tactical ReservoirI hate hydration bladders.  There I’ve said it.  You know you do, too.  Not that they aren’t a great way to haul around water when tucked inside a useful shoulder-mounted system.  It’s just that they are fragile, difficult to fill, and such a pain in the ass to properly clean and dry.  Who wants a mouth full of germy algae?  But I think you are going to really like the Hydrapak First Wave Tactical Reservoir.

Time and again, I’ve watched water pouring down a SWAT guy’s back and legs after something punctured his hydration bladder.  Yeah, in training it is comical, but on a live call-out, it is serious.  Other than a puncture, bladders sometimes split.  The Hydrapak First Wave is constructed of 0.4 mm thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) with super strong RF-welded seams.  First Wave’s TPU is 60% thicker than competitor’s models, so it is, essentially, fortified. Continue reading →

Posted in Medical, Misc., SWAT, Tactical Bags | Leave a comment

Bounce Imaging Tactical Camera

Posted on July 4, 2015 by Randall

This thing is cool.  The Bounce Image Tactical Throwable Camera would be a nice device for a team to use.  It uses white or near-infrared (850nm wavelength) LED’s to light up the area while it snaps panoramic still photos that can be immediately accessed via an Android or iOS phone.  The 360 degree photo array, from six monochrome cameras, updates once per second.  The unit will run on its internal batteries for 30 minutes at full flash intensity.  It is MIL-STD 810 drop-tested for durability.  The model used in the video, the Explorer Tactical Edition, costs about $2,500.00.

Don’t diss the questionable tactics in the video, they’re only for demonstration purposes…

As technology advances, more and more robotic and drone devices will become integrated into our high-risk responses for officer safety.  Keep the ideas coming, I say!

Randall

Posted in SWAT, Tactics, Technology | 4 Comments