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Virtual reality training pays off in armed encounter

Just 30 minutes after completing Axon’s VR TASER training, Lincoln PD Officer Alessandra Winterbauer used her TASER 10 to prevent a suicide-by-cop outcome

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When officers respond to a call that seems routine — like a mental health check — they often have no idea how quickly that encounter could escalate. For Officer Alessandra Winterbauer of the Lincoln (Nebraska) Police Department, what began as a calm conversation with a confused subject turned into a life-or-death confrontation. Her ability to remain composed and rely on recent virtual reality training helped avoid a deadly outcome and led to her recognition with Axon’s 2025 Jack Cover Save of the Year Award.

Officer Winterbauer and a colleague were dispatched to check on a man experiencing a possible mental health crisis. After a calm 20-minute conversation, the man abruptly asked, “If I come at you guys with a knife, will you shoot me?” Moments later, he sprinted toward officers. Winterbauer deployed her TASER 10 from over 30 feet away — just minutes after completing VR-based TASER training. Her successful response neutralized the threat without serious injury, demonstrating the real-world value of immersive, high-frequency training.

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This episode of the Policing Matters podcast is sponsored by OfficerStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting OfficerStore.com.

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Tune in to discover:

  • What happened when a man in crisis asked, “If I come at you with a knife, will you shoot me?”
  • How VR-based TASER training helped Officer Winterbauer make a split-second, life-saving decision
  • Why identifying roles — lethal vs. less-lethal — is key to team-based response during high-stress calls
  • What support systems helped Lincoln PD officers process the incident and recover mentally
  • How Officer Winterbauer’s story challenges assumptions about physical size and gender in policing

Equipping female officers with the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in their careers

Key takeaways from this episode

  • VR training can make the difference: Winterbauer completed Axon’s VR TASER training just 30 minutes before the encounter. The repetition helped build muscle memory, allowing her to react quickly and effectively under pressure.
  • De-escalation doesn’t always look like conversation: Though the subject appeared calm initially, a sudden behavioral shift revealed suicidal intent — highlighting the need for vigilance, adaptability and team coordination in mental health calls.
  • Clear roles and communication are critical: Lincoln PD officers vocalize their equipment roles — lethal vs. non-lethal — before engaging. This clarity helped Winterbauer’s team avoid crossfire or confusion during a fast-moving threat.
  • Support after critical incidents matters: Winterbauer praised her agency’s culture of peer support, noting immediate check-ins by supervisors and access to confidential debriefs and 24/7 emotional support resources.
  • Confidence overcomes doubt — especially for women in policing: Winterbauer, a 5’4" officer who once doubted her place in law enforcement, encourages women to pursue the profession, emphasizing that physical size doesn’t determine success — training, mindset and purpose do.Rate and review the Policing Matters podcast

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Policing Matters law enforcement podcast with host Jim Dudley features law enforcement and criminal justice experts discussing critical issues in policing