By David Gambacorta
The Philadelphia Daily News
PHILADELPHIA — Christopher Binns has been shot in the head.
He has had a deep gash opened on his forehead that took 27 stitches to close. Some of his bones have been broken. Other parts have been bruised and torn.
He’ll tell you he’s survived these injuries and more in the last two decades with relative ease because they’re no big deal - they’re just a part of the work that he does in the darkness. Binns, it should be noted, is not the Terminator. He’s a cop. A damn good cop, in fact.
The 51-year-old West Philly native is a sergeant in the department’s elite SWAT Unit, a high-intensity, high-risk assignment that he’s worn like a second skin for the bulk of his 21-year police career.
Binns is a mentor to the younger guys always preaching about the importance of staying fit, staying focused, being prepared for anything. Those words to live by came in handy before dawn on Dec. 23, when Nasuil “Nas” Martinez allegedly shot at Binns and SWAT Officer Francis Whalen in the darkened basement of a hideout in Summerdale.
One bullet from Martinez’s .45-caliber gun slammed into Binns’ helmet like a sledgehammer. Another struck Whalen in the chest plate."We were in a darkened area,” Binns said. “Guys were saying they were hit, and we didn’t know if we had multiple shooters. But everyone maintained their composure and didn’t fall apart."Martinez, wanted for wounding another Philly cop, was captured after he accidentally shot himself in the neck. For his bravery, Binns willbe honored tonight as a George Fencl Award finalist.
“We really keep a low profile,” Binns said of his surprise of being selected as a Fencl finalist. “We operate in the darkness 99 percent of the time. When you do see us, something negative is going on, but the outcome is usually positive.”
Binns joined the Police Department in 1989 after being impressed by the war stories told by his older brother, Phil, who is now a retired Highway Patrol sergeant.
“Every day seemed exciting,” Binns said. “Every day, it seemed like he got to make a difference.”
Binns landed in SWAT - known then as the Stakeout Unit - in 1991. He’s been there ever since, save for a brief tour at the Police Academy, instructing young cops who were going to join SWAT. He’s kept up with his own training over the years, learning from the Fire Academy how to be a medic and from the FBI how to be a lethal sniper.
“People look up to him,” said Capt. Stephen Cross, Binns’ boss. “He knows his business, and he’s very dedicated and courageous. He’s had a stellar career, and I think he deserves a little recognition.”
Binns said that he and his wife, Janice, were surprised several years ago when their son decided to follow in his footsteps. Christopher Binns Jr., 26, works in North Philly’s 25th District. Binns also has a daughter, Kianna, 24.
Binns said his career has a little gas left in the tank, maybe enough to hang on long enough to see his son join the SWAT Unit.
“After that, who knows?” he said. “In this job, you really have to take everything one day at a time.”
Copyright 2011 Philadelphia Newspapers, LLC