Volume 11 Program 8 Georgia Deputy in Gunfight with Felon Backup: What Would You Do? Creative Traffic Control Backup: World s Worst Burglar DUTY SHEET AND LESSON PLAN Total Program Length 30:57 IN THE LINE OF DUTY is produced exclusively as an interactive sharing resource for the law enforcement community. No commercial use or access to the public at large is permitted without the authorization of L.O.D., Inc. This program contains actual video of real police incidents with no reenactments or simulations. This program is protected by copyright. Reproduction in any form is strictly prohibited without authorization from L.O.D., Inc. This program is designed for informational purposes only. IN THE LINE OF DUTY makes no representation regarding the effectiveness or appropriateness of any action or technique depicted herein. It is not intended to replace or supersede existing training policies or guidelines of individual law enforcement agencies. The video training programs included in this video are designed to fit the four major POST categories for continuing education. -LEGAL STUDIES: Concentrates on federal, state and local criminal law or issues. -INTERPERSONAL PERSPECTIVES: Focuses on communication skills, cultural diversity training, ethics, conflict management, victim sensitivity and stress management. -TECHNICAL STUDIES: Focuses on specialized studies or activities which directly relate to job description, including first aid and CPR training. -SKILL DEVELOPMENT: Focuses on activities that develop physical skill proficiency such as defensive tactics, firearms, driver training, first aid and CPR. 1
OVERVIEW: Deputy Patrick Neal of the Cherokee County, Georgia Sheriff s Office responds to a sighting of a known con man, who engages him in a shootout. Deputy Neal is shot in the face, leg and chest, and returns fire, killing the subject. We talk with Deputy Neal, his backup officer and others who discuss his training, his survival mindset, and his will to win. THE INCIDENT (6:22): August, 2004 - Deputy Neal s day has begun like most others, with his early arrival at work and planning how best to serve civil process papers and warrants. One of his targets is Frank Sheridan, wanted for forgery, probation violation and aggravated stalking. Deputy Neal and another deputy have been trying to locate Sheridan but without success. Today, however, Deputy Neal gets a tip that Sheridan is at home, loading his truck. As he finishes a traffic stop, Deputy Neal calls in that he s following up on this tip, and that he s heading to the subject s house, and requests backup. He heads for the address on Windship Court, a quiet subdivision cul-de-sac. Just before turning the corner onto Sheridan s street, Deputy Neal pulls over to the left curb and looks down across neighbors lawns. From this position, Deputy Neal can see Sheridan and his red box truck in front of the man s house. The truck is backed into the driveway, and faces the street. Sheridan sees Deputy Neal at the corner, and goes to the rear of his truck. The deputy radios that he is about to serve a felony warrant, then parks his patrol car in front of Sheridan s driveway, blocking a potential exit. The driver s side door of the truck is open, and Sheridan stands nearby with his back to the deputy. Deputy Neal stands near the patrol car and calls Sheridan by name, instructing him to walk toward him, away from the truck. He gets no response, and Deputy Neal repeats his instructions. Sheridan again does not respond or comply, and Deputy Neal draws his pistol to the low ready position. While doing so, the deputy moves counter-clockwise a few feet for a better vantage point. Sheridan finally turns and looks at the deputy, holding a Glock in his right hand. Deputy Neal raises his weapon as he tells Sheridan to put his down. Sheridan says no, as the deputy steps back toward the front of the truck. The door is now between Sheridan and the deputy, offering some distance but blocking Deputy Neal s view of Sheridan from the chest down. Without warning, Sheridan raises his gun and fires through the glass at Deputy Neal, hitting him once in the face and once in the chest. The first round enters the deputy s left cheek below the cheekbone and exits through the side of his neck. He drops to his left knee and loses his glasses. He pivots on the knee back toward the truck s door, to return fire. Sheridan moves away from the truck s cab and rounds the door, moving toward Deputy Neal. The deputy fires two rounds with his right hand while holding his face with his 2
left. One round enters and exits Sheridan s right thigh. Another enters Sheridan s hip, and travels up to penetrate his heart. But Sheridan doesn t fall. He fires again as he takes cover behind the door, and two of Sheridan s rounds hit Deputy Neal, in the right leg and the chest. The deputy backs up and leans on the front left corner of his patrol car, firing five rounds into the truck s driver-side door. Gunfire continues from both sides, and at some point, the deputy is struck again in the chest. One round goes through his pant legs, piercing both creases and striking the patrol car bumper. Sheridan falls to the ground as Deputy Neal takes cover behind the front passenger side corner of the patrol car. The deputy reloads his Glock as Sheridan reaches for his own weapon, which has fallen between his legs. At this point Deputy Neal leans over the hood of the patrol car and takes aim at a point between Sheridan s eyes. He fires one round, hitting Sheridan in the mouth. The shot hits Sheridan s lip, knocks out his teeth and lodges in the back of his throat. Sheridan has been stopped, no longer moving, and Deputy Neal holsters his weapon. The deputy looks into the passenger side mirror to evaluate the face shot, then checks out the leg wound. He holds his leg to try and stop the flow of blood, and says he remembers praying and telling God if you want to help me, this is the best time to do it. I can sure use your help right now. Sheridan s neighbors have by now come to his aid, as he sits on the ground and leans on his car. Witnesses try to make the deputy comfortable, putting a shirt behind his neck, and putting towels on his leg. BACKUP ARRIVES (2:00): The shootout is over, and Deputy Neal has won. The first officer to arrive is Corporal Marianne Kelley, responding to Deputy Neal s call for Code 7 backup and the injured deputy s Signal 63 officer down - call that has come in on another channel. Corporal Kelley needs additional information to find the address and asks Dispatch for directions. Radio traffic is heavy but she penetrates the chatter and gets specifics. Scanning the scene, she has a good view of Sheridan s entire house and sees that there is no one else standing close to the residence. In the street, however, she sees that people have gathered to help Deputy Neal. Corporal Kelley and another responding deputy confirm that Deputy Neal is stable, and they move toward the truck to check on Sheridan. Four rounds have brought Sheridan down; one in the upper right thigh, one in the lower left abdomen, one in the right wrist and one in the mouth. He is clearly near death, but Corporal Kelley and the other deputy remove Sheridan s weapon out of his reach, in case he was still kicking around. Sheridan is no longer a threat, however, as he dies in his driveway. 3
Deputy Neal is stabilized and evacuated by helicopter. POST-INCIDENT OUTCOMES (3:13): In the weeks following Deputy Neal s incident, the Cherokee County Sheriff s Office takes time to analyze the case and evaluate policy and procedures. Following Deputy Neal s shooting, once the command staff is assured of Deputy Neal s safety, the Sheriff tells Lt. Joe Satterfield, the department s Training Director, that the department s training programs have paid off. On the one hand, this was reassuring to the training officer, but he also wonders if we had taught him anything that had potentially gotten him shot. The TO tells the Sheriff he wants to examine the incident. He is appointed to review Deputy Neal s actions immediately before, during, and after the gunfight. Never, never quit: One of the things Lt. Satterfield emphasizes in training is that in an encounter like this the deputies are never allowed to quit. Regardless of their injuries, they are taught to keep fighting until they have neutralized the threat. Firearms malfunction clearance and reloading: Deputy Neal did not have to clear a malfunctioning weapon. But he did have to reload, which has always been a strength in the department s weapons handling program. Deputies train to conduct both operations with both hands, as well as with only one hand. Failure Drill (shooting at different parts of the body to stop the threat: One lesson adopted by this department after the death of Georgia Trooper Mark Coates at the hands of Richard Blackburn (LOD Volume 1 Program 4), is the transition of shooting at the upper torso to shooting at the head when the initial body shots are not effective in stopping the threat. Deputy Neal has trained for this and uses it in his encounter with Sheridan, taking a head shot after reloading and ending the gunfight. Training is the insurance policy for departments: Lt. Satterfield emphasizes that a commitment to training is one of the responsibilities of every first-line supervisor in every department. Every supervisor accepts vicarious liability for the actions of those who report to them. He says he is proud that Cherokee County Sheriff Roger Garrison supports and provides resources to the department s training program. This attitude and the financial support help ensure the physical and civil protection for their personnel. 4
LESSONS LEARNED (7:18): Deputy Neal doesn t like to second guess his actions on that day, but can point to several lessons learned. Seek Cover That Allows for Visibility: He says he doesn t think he could have done anything differently and still survived. But when he first encounters Sheridan, he has the suspect in full view. When he steps to the left and put the truck s door between himself and Sheridan, he loses that advantage. He can no longer see Sheridan s hands or the weapon he holds, until Sheridan raises the gun and fires through the glass. Deputy Neal advises trainees to keep this in mind when they seek cover be sure they know what their suspect is doing. Mindset Training Class: Though unfamiliar with this training at the time, Deputy Neal says he now believes that mindset training is essential for preparing officers for any lethal force experience. Knowing what changes to expect in a gunfight can and does save lives. He says the heart rate increase, tunnel vision, hearing distortion (not hearing the gun discharge) and other changes are unfamiliar to most road officers. He says preparation for these phenomena should be included in every department s training. Good Physical Conditioning is Crucial for Survival: Deputy Neal says that surviving a gunshot should be motivation enough for officers to keep themselves in optimal physical condition. He suggests an annual test of physical ability should be part of every department s training program. Being in shape can prevent the effects of shock and keep the officer in the fight. Watch Deadly Hands: Deputy Neal says he and Sheridan never made eye contact during the shootout, because it s crucial that the officer keep the eyes on the subject s hands, not the eyes. While facial expression might foretell a subject s actions, ultimately it is the weapon in the hand that does the damage. Your Best Shot Should Be With Your Sidearm: Proficiency with every weapon available is essential, but the officer benefits most from training with the weapon he or she carries daily. A shotgun or rifle in the patrol car will likely not be used in a gunfight, but the pistol will. Deputy Neal emphasizes the importance of firearms training using both hands, regardless of dominance, and training to shoot while lying, kneeling or on your back on the ground. Shift The Target Area: Lt. Satterfield points out that while body shots are critical, there is only so much damage that can be done to one area. It s important to move focus from one target area to another until the threat is neutralized. If rounds to the upper torso fail to stop the subject, move the aim to the head and / or pelvic girdle. Make Wise Live or Die Decisions: In a gunfight, an officer will live or die by the decisions he or she has made Choosing whether and how often to train, or whether to wear a vest, for example, are decisions with a direct result. Regardless of department requirements and provisions for training, these decisions lay ultimately with the officer. 5
Secure the Entire Scene: Corporal Kelley says that the fallen officer is not the only concern in the aftermath of a gunfight. All efforts must be made to ensure that officer s survival, but it s critical to check the environment for continuing threats. In this case, arriving deputies swept Sheridan s property and residence to ensure there were no others to continue the fight. Neighbors on the scene are also helpful to officers as they often know the environment and can provide important information. Listen to All Radio Traffic: Deputy Neal plans to serve Sheridan with a felony warrant and radios his request for backup. Corporal Kelley knows that another deputy is already en route, and could understandably disregard the radio traffic outside her patrol area. She chooses not to and is able to come to the deputy s aid. Respond Safely to the Scene: Deputies responding to the signal 63 call move quickly to get to Deputy Neal s side. Cpl. Kelley says she drives fast to this call but is also aware that school buses are in the neighborhood, meaning that school children are also likely in the area. She makes herself aware of traffic and other considerations to be sure she gets to the deputy quickly but safely. First Aid Skills are a Must: Officers responding to a scene like this first ensure that there is no continuing threat, then tend to the fallen officer. For this reason, it is important to know first aid skills, especially as they apply to gunshot wounds until EMS arrives. Instructors - Train for Results: Deputy Neal is now an instructor in his department, and emphasizes the importance of training outside the box and engaging the trainees to get the most out of the program. When they remember their training, officers will respond accordingly in a crisis. Mandatory Counseling: Until this incident, Lt. Satterfield says he was not convinced of the value of post-incident counseling. Now, he says, he believes that this should be mandatory in every department. Leaving it to the individual officer to seek help on their own does not ensure they get the help they may need. Requiring an officer to report to a mental health professional forces the issue but does allow the officer to deal with the effects of a lethal force event. Know What You ll Do When You Arrive On Scene: Don t wait until you arrive on a scene to decide how to proceed. Capt. Ron Hunton, Crime Scene Supervisor for Cherokee County, says he uses the transit time to mentally prepare for handling the call, regardless of the travel time or type of call. In this case, Capt. Hunton commends Deputy Neal for his response and mindset; he did not give up though it would be understandable if he had. Sheridan was going to kill Deputy Neal, but the deputy didn t let that happen. 6
QUESTIONS (1:50): 1. Do you have a survival mindset? Discuss how your department could train in this area. 2. Do you mentally and physically prepare for the unexpected scenario? Discuss how you prepare. 3. Are your firearms skills as proficient as they should be? If not, why not? 4. What are you watching in a potentially dangerous encounter? Eyes or hands? 5. Do you ask for help with directions if you are unsure of the exact location of an incident? If not, why not? 6. Do you provide backup for fellow law enforcement officers, even if they re not necessarily in your specific area, district, precinct or department? 7. Are you aware of your surroundings (other cars, pedestrians, school buses) while driving to an incident? Do you always respond as safely as possible? 8. Are your first aid skills and training up to date? Do you carry and use personal protective equipment such as gloves? 9. What is your position regarding critical incident stress debriefing or counseling? Should it be voluntary or mandatory? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages. 10. What live-or-die decisions are you making every day with regard to your law enforcement career? EPILOG (1:40): The suspect, 49-year-old Frank Sheridan, was a con-man with a long criminal history. He had more than 20 aliases and would use the Internet to gather information to assume missing persons identities. He had been convicted of domestic violence against his ex-wife, whom he had met and brought to the U.S. from overseas. He fired six rounds from a.45 caliber Glock at Deputy Neal, leaving two rounds in the magazine. The first round fired by Sheridan was shot through the truck door window and his Deputy Neal in the cheek, exiting his jaw, re-entering his neck and exiting again through his shoulder blade. Three rounds hit Deputy Neal in his vest, one round hit him in the leg, and another went through the creases of his pants. Deputy Neal fired 16 rounds at Sheridan, striking him four times. Five rounds from Deputy Neal penetrated Sheridan s truck door, one striking him in the wrist, causing him to drop his weapon. Deputy Neal was flown by helicopter to a trauma center in Atlanta for treatment of his wounds. He returned to light duty after the incident, and full duty four months after that. He still suffers pain from nerve damage in his leg. After the shooting, Deputy Neal now serves as an instructor for the Cherokee County Sheriff s Office. 7
BACKUP WHAT WOULD YOU DO? (2:35): Traffic control is one of the most basic duties and biggest challenges for law enforcement. Some agencies are getting creative. Amidon, North Dakota is America s smallest county seat. The town boasts 24-hour police protection. Entering town via Route 85, drivers see a patrol car parked nearby, forcing them to modify their speed from the highway s 65 mph to the town s 25 mph mandate. Closer inspection, however, reveals that the occupant of the patrol call is a mannequin. Orange County, Florida Sheriff s Office is less subtle. The holidays bring out the bravest officers, set up on the roadside with their radar and seasonal costumes. Elf and Grinch snag more than 200 speeders in less than 2 hours. On the more devious side, West Palm Beach officers use spotters at busy intersections, often disguised as construction workers or electrical linemen, to identify speeding and unsafe drivers. One lovely roadside warrior is known to her co-workers as Officer Delicious. 1. Is your agency doing anything truly creative to stop traffic scofflaws? What? 2. If not, do any of these suggestions, or variations thereof, appeal to you? Which officers do you fell could play the part best? 3. As traffic, congestion, and its accompanying challenges only increase, what do you feel law enforcement can do to better deal with them? 4. Do you meet with neighboring agencies, government, civic groups and the public to get a handle on their ideas and concerns regarding traffic problems? BACKUP WORLD S WORST BURGLAR (2:39): Male subject enters liquor store through the roof, bringing the ceiling with him. Stunned but not deterred, he fills a shopping cart before heading to the register. He completes his mission but is unable to leave the store by traditional means. He hauls a ladder back to below his point of entry but again fails to coordinate his exit. Finally he lights a cigarette and pulls up a seat, patiently awaiting the inevitable. Local police arrive, and the burglar takes to the floor, letting them assist in his departure. 8
Volume 11, Program 8 LESSON PLAN Synopsis: Time: Objectives: Obj. A: Obj. B: Obj. C: Georgia Deputy Patrick Neal confronts a wanted felon, who initiates a gunfight. One hour. Upon completion of this course, officers should be able to: Identify how training prepares officers for lethal force incidents Identify considerations for responding officers Identify factors that help officers manage throughout the post-incident period INSTRUCTOR S NOTES / LAB GUIDE Obj. A: Obj. B: Obj. C: Identify how training prepares officers for lethal force incidents 1. Never, never quit 2. Firearms training malfunction clearing, reloading, and firing using both hands, single hand, and from various positions and postures 3. Failure drill changing aim until threat is neutralized 4. Use of cover that ensures full view of threat 5. Greatest proficiency with sidearm above other available weapons 6. Physical conditioning 7. Mental conditioning mindset class 8. Watching subject s hands 9. Training is the department s insurance policy 10. Making wise live or die decisions every day 11. Instructors: Train for results Identify considerations for responding officers 1. Listen to all radio traffic 2. Respond safely to the scene 3. First aid skills are crucial Identify factors that help officers manage throughout the post-incident period 1. Mindset training classes 2. Mandatory counseling 9