Once upon a time, I used to highlight my "Idiot of the week" These ranged from Hollywood Starlets, to Political Idiots, to just anyone who made the news doing something extremely ignorant. Recently I decided it was time to get back to capturing a weekly dunce.
But when I got to thinking about it, I thought as long as I was highlighting the people who struggled to do the right thing, that when those who make the right choices, the sometimes hard choices, ought to get equal billing. So for every idiot I hope to highlight at least one hero as well!
And this week's heros happens to be locally, from right here in my backyard!
Monday morning, a distrubed guy entered a local highschool armed with two guns. At this point, no one knows exactly why, but he obviously was angry.
- The first hero: A receptionist in the school's adjacent office observed the confrontation with the Principle, and immediately alerted students and staff of a lockdown.
- The second hero and probably the largest in this story, is school resource officer Carolyn Gudger who then entered the lobby area and drew her gun on this guy. Gudger then pushed the Principle behind her and towards the nearby cafeteria, allowing her to escape to safety. (and most likely saved the Principle's life)
- The Third and Forth Heros are Patrolman Sam Matney and Leut. Steve Williams who entered the school from different areas — converging on the science pod to join Gudger and Cowan's standoff. When ordered to drop his weapon, Cowan allegedly pointed his gun towards the new officers on scene. He then pointed it back at Gudger, prompting the three officers to fire.
From all witness accounts, it sounds as if everyone involved made the right decisions. I'm sure that no one wanted to shoot and kill anyone; not even a disturbed man with a gun pointed at someone's head. But it's obvious that the actions of all involved were the right actions!
People in Law Enforcement take a lot of grief. So many times, they are scrutinized for making the wrong decisions in hectic situations! But in this case, it sounds as if they had no choice but to pull the trigger on man who was threatening them and others! God Bless all persons called to serve in Law Enforcement!
This snipet borrowed from http://tricities.com says it all!
At a Monday afternoon news conference at the Board of Education building in Blountville, Yennie, the director of schools, read from a prepared statement that lauded police, staff and students for following their emergency protocol.
“The students were never in any danger,” he said. “And Carolyn Gudger performed her job admirably to ensure the safety of students and staff.”
Anderson, too, said the school’s protocol worked perfectly. He hailed it “textbook” and “perfect.”
“These officers saved children’s lives today,” Anderson said.
Links:
Gunman killed at Sullivan Central
Kingsport Gunman 62, killed in Shooting at Blountville High School
Parents, students react to fatal shooting at Sullivan Central
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From my Atrix
Chloe (4 yo) said Mammie, you are special in my heart . . And Pappy, you are special to a Doctor.
No one amazes me more than people.
For Lent, I'm giving up Porn, and cheating. Hurry up Easter! All jokes aside, fried food will be avoided.