I was standing in the shower today thinking about a shooting that happened in Oregon just before the weekend. It involved a State Trooper who had made a “routine” traffic stop for speeding on US Interstate 5. As he approached the driver’s side door of the violator’s seemingly innocent, Toyota Corolla, the driver opened fire on him. He took two in the vest and one in the foot. The trooper returned fire and hit the threat multiple times. The threat later died in the hospital.
It made me think about my family and how guilty I am of complacency. Though we are trained and warned repeatedly so many officers fall into complacency. As the water ran over my head I thought of the countless vehicles that I have stopped for traffic violations. I hung my head and said to myself, “You’re guilty dude.” My wife will be pissed when she reads this, but I started to recall a stop that I made on one of our major US Highways. I had another officer with me, but neither of us noticed the two BB guns buried under cloths in the back seat. I had stopped the guy for 70 in a 55 but I really stopped him because he gave me the “The Look” when he drove by.
Later on we found out that the man was suspended and we were going to have to tow his car. He called a friend to pick him up and the friend arrived a short time after. The guy was pretty cool and didn’t give me any reason to think that he would be a threat. I told him that he is welcome to take whatever he needs from the car before it is towed. He asked, “Can I take my BB guns with me?” “Sure!” I replied thinking, “who really fucking cares about BB guns?” I followed him up to the car and watched as he removed a few items from the car. When he got to the BB guns, I noticed that these weren’t your average run of the mill BB gun. These were .22 caliber Benjamin pump action air rifles. If you know anything about BB/pellet guns you know that these aren’t like the normal BB guns you see at Big 5 or BI-Mart store. These are just as good as a .22 caliber firearm.
I inspected them to be sure they weren’t loaded. Since the guy wasn’t a convicted felon and was merely guilty of a violation, I allowed him to take the BB guns with him. Yes in the National Republic of Oregon it is only a violation to drive while suspended. While I watched the violator, his friend pulled a blue back pack from the front seat. I noticed that it was the only item that he seemed to be really interested in. He snatched it up and started toward his car with it. I said, “Hold up a minute there man!” He stopped. I asked for consent to check the bag for contraband. He agreed. Inside I found a Smith and Wesson 9mm automatic hand gun. It was loaded with a full magazine. The friend quickly produced a valid Oregon concealed handgun license and paperwork proving that the 9mm was registered to him.
The guy who was getting towed, Mr. Driving While Suspended, did not have a concealed handgun license. The original location of the bag was right next to Mr. Driving While Suspended. Because both men were really laid back and fully cooperative with us, I just let them go with all of the guns.
I know what you’re thinking. If the friend had not provided proof of ownership of the gun, it would have been a different story. The friend told me that they had planned a camping trip together and he had placed the gun in the bag in the right front passenger side of Mr. Driving While Suspended’s car not knowing that he was suspended. Mr. Driving While Suspended decided to go to the store and he simply forgot about it being in the car. Hearing this, I decided to let them roll.
Thinking back, I realize that God was watching out for me. The little prayer that I say before every shift must have paid off. This guy could have decided to pull that gun and have a shoot out.
I have only been working in law enforcement for about three and half years and I have never heard it said better than the way my FTO put it. “Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill every person you meet.” It is so true. Every time I forget to make a plan, it almost bits me. I think back to all of the “routine” traffic stops that I have made and remember not standing in the right place, not checking the trunk, and not conducting a thorough check behind the seats and surrounding areas as I approached. Shit, I’m pretty sure that I‘ve forgotten to even look at the passengers.
So this is me admitting that I am human and that I have been slipping. I am a 27 year old father now with a wife of six years and a brand new 10 month old baby daughter, both of whom I love very much. It brings tears to my eyes to think of my daughter growing up without me. Now I am taking it very seriously. It’s time to snap out of it. It’s time for Mark to reform his ways!
I think getting over complacency it a lot like going on a diet. It takes will power, strength, and the want to accomplish your goal. Well this is me going on a diet. I have already started taking steps that I used to take when I was right out of the academy. Before I start my shift I do a number of things. Just bare minimum things to help me survive a fight for my life. I start by repeating to myself, “Whatever it takes to go home!” At the end of the night I may be on admin leave, I may be getting named in a lawsuit, or might be sitting behind bars, but I guarantee you one thing; I am going home! If you try to kill me, you better believe I’m going to kill you!
Now days, I’m back to checking my duty weapon before every shift. Fifteen in the clip and one in hole (Thanks Warren G). I’ve been practicing drawing from my holster remembering that “Smooth is fast” before my shift. I’m carrying a backup gun now. I’ve even added extra belt keepers to keep my belt from shifting. I check all my other gear; Taser, Cuffs, ASP, Shake the OC, and Flashlight. I practice my interview stance and simulate a threat or attack. I do my best to remember all of my training on traffic stops. Standing behind the B pillar of the violator’s vehicle and out of view of the driver, changing positions when the violator looks away, approaching on the passenger side, Ect. As I walk to my car with my bag in hand I think of “What If” scenarios. I’m not a religious type, but I say a little prayer at some point. Either while getting ready, or while on my way to work. It’s usually the same prayer. I ask God ride with me and return me home to my family. I pray for all of my other law enforcement brothers and sisters. Finally as I turn the key to the patrol car, I picture my wife and daughter and say, “Whatever it takes to go home tonight. WHATEVER THE FUCK IT TAKES!”
If you’re a cop and you take nothing from reading my blog, let this ring in your mind every time you switch on the lights and prepare to stop a vehicle: “This could be the one. This could be the guy that isn’t going back to jail. This could be the guy with the AK47 and years of assault rifle training that we’ve all dreamed about. The tests are coming! Most of all remember: “WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GO HOME.”
God Bless and stay safe out there guys!
