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Ambush

The Ambush topic page features safety tips, columnist commentary and the latest news updates on the growing threat of targeted attacks against police officers.

Preparing for an all-options response to a multiple-person attack requires a commitment to training beyond the sporadic defensive tactics sessions
In 1987, Tom Weitzel was issuing a parking ticket when he was ambushed and shot by a gang member; the incident taught him the importance of standing by his officers in the best and worst of times
Training techniques designed to safeguard police officers against increasing ambush threats in diverse environments
The two officers immediately came under fire after responding to the home; six to eight people, including children, remain unaccounted for following the fire
The officers, who were called to the house on a report that an 11-year-old girl had been wounded by gunfire, immediately came under fire
“Many will often look at this data and just see numbers, but we MUST remember that they represent heroes—fathers, mothers, sons and daughters,” the national FOP president stated
The chaotic event killed officer Jake Wallin, 23, and wounded officers Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes; the only officer left standing, Zach Robinson, stopped the heavily armed shooter without hesitation
Approach planning as if you were the criminal element
After the man ambushed and wounded the deputies, he fled in their cruiser, running over one deputy’s leg
“I still carry the vivid image of my partner holding his neck and blood all over the front of his uniform,” Sgt. Brian Hanlon said
Sgt. Terrence Carraway died the day of the shooting and Deputy Farrah Turner died nearly three weeks later from her wounds
When the suspect attacked the officer, the officer’s firearm had been dislodged from its holster, leading to a struggle between the officer and the suspect over the handgun
The suspect ambushed the deputies while they were sitting in a cruiser and shot both deputies at point-blank range before running away
Officer Alec Iurato was given the Courage in Service award after shooting the gunman who shot him and killed two other officers in an ambush
“Turn yourself in. We will find you,” Police Chief Lawrence Revell said. “We will not rest, we will not sleep, we will not pause until we find you and bring you to justice”
“Another case of someone who should have been in jail”; police chief angered after sixth officer shot within two weeks
Gun handling lessons from the July ambush of Fargo police officers
This incident shows good tactics to end an ambush and offers a display of great courage. This is how it is done
“Looking at the car, listening to the gunfire – it truly is a blessing he is still here with us.”
Sgt. Lind has made great progress in recovering from his injuries, including a cracked skull, while attempting to take a suspect into custody in October, the chief said
Our buildings and our officers inside have been the target of criminal assaults and civil disorder incidents for quite a long time
Officer Morgan Bullis said putting on her uniform again is a big part of her healing
A total of 135 officers have been shot in the line of duty, 15 killed, as of April 30
Chief Walt Miller said they were familiar with the couple from prior encounters and the targeting of his officers was “related and retaliatory”
Shot seven times, Officer Anthony Graffeo must face inoperable bullet fragments, exhausted medical leave and a no pay status
“If I don’t get to put the uniform on, it’ll be a bad day,” said Trooper Atkinson
Officer Trevor Abney was ambushed and shot below the left eye, leaving him blinded in that eye and with a .40-caliber bullet lodged in his brain
“It’s nothing short of amazing I’m still here,” Cpl. Matthew Aitken says about being shot in the neck, leg and wrist when ambushed
Cpl. Matt Aitken’s supervisor credits the survival story to Aitken’s training, hard work and seriousness to the job