(Mature content. Not for young readers)
An old adage in law enforcement circles goes something like this, ... "When citizens need help, they call the police. When police need help they call SWAT. After SWAT, there is no one else to call".
On Monday night our family had dinner with Dan, Gretchen Barnett, and their son Blake at Oggi's Pizza. Soon after we sat down, Dan mentioned the SDPD SWAT golf tournament, (which he started in 2005) had just just raised over $125,000.00 this year. As Dan continued speaking, I had difficulty following him, so I just nodded. I thought of all the tactical equipment the money could buy. As dishes clanked, and people cheered on their teams, I was trying to keep from remembering a hot summer day in 1984. I finally gave up and just went there. I think sometimes to understand the value of an accomplishment today, you must first go back to yesterday.
As a twenty-four year old cop in Logan Heights in 1984 you needed to feel invincible. No weakness, no fear, and no hesitation. I remember driving down Imperial Ave. when the radio call came out. A 245PC/active shooter at McDonalds in south San Diego. On that morning, James Huberty committted the largest single day mass murder in the history of the United States. Despite the adversity, SDPD Officers and command personnel did everything humanly possible to protect innocent lives.
As officers attempted to move forward to neutralize the suspect, they encountered highly accurate, high powered rifle fire that prevented them from stopping his assault sooner. We did not have an armored vehicle that would allow us to "close the gap" from deployment to addressing the threat.
Jump forward about twenty years later. I was now the SDPD SWAT Commanding Officer. Some people's memories had faded. Mine had not. Our armored rescue vehicle we obtained post McDonalds had since broken down and had been sold. My biggest fear as CO was loosing an officer under my command. I knew that type of loss would be compounded if I failed to provide my officers with the proper equipment they needed to do their jobs.
Alot of our equipment was honestly crap. We petitioned the United States Air Force and received from them a dilapidated armored vehicle that had previously guarded United States ICBM silos. It was towed on a flatbed to the police station. It needed an engine, tires and just about everything else. My Captain at that time was, can I say, ... "a piece of work". I still remember asking him for funds to help renovate the vehicle. He just barked out with disdain, "Look Ray, it is not a priority. There is no money available. Why don't you have to have a bake sale".
Instead, I called a few friends. Mitch and Zora McDonald and Larry Cushman. Larry provided a substantial donation so we could sandblast the hull. I was then amazed when I had lunch with Mitch, (pictured below). He allowed me pick up the lunch tab, but he then wrote SWAT a check for $25,000.00. Zora, I know Mitch's passing a few years ago was heart-breaking. He has not been forgotten and I can never thank you both enough.
The following year, while drinking too much red wine in Dan and Gretchen's back yard, Dan did what he sometimes does: something "crazy". Dan suggested, "Let's start a SDPD SWAT golf tournament. We could probably raise 50k a year". "Sure Dan let's do that". It was probably time for Theresa and I to get our kids together and head home.
Seven years later, Dan is still heading up the SWAT Tournament which includes area residents and supporters, SDPD Captain Mark Jones, Devine, Giles, Haux, Lindbarger, Mutter, Rowe, and Waltz families. Click the attached link for County Wide sponsors (2011 SWAT Tournament). A special Thanks to MOR Furniture who has been our title sponsor all seven years. Your leadership and support has been amazing. To date, they have all helped raise raise over $600,000.00 to support the SWAT Team.
I guess my point of this week's article is to first thank Dan. I'm sorry I couldn't pull it off Monday night. Secondly, to remind myself that it is OK to "feel" life. It's OK to be hurt. We all develop cracks over time. Experience will do that, but we are all far from broken. When life hurts you or someone you care about, do something "Crazy" to support your cause. It can be fighting ALS, Autism, Huntington's Disease, Cancer, or even helping a SWAT Team. Find a way to coach, volunteer or give back. It does not change what has occurred, but I think it makes it easier.
In closing, I apologize for going long today. In case my former SDPD Captain reads this, I never did have that bake sale you suggested. But, I must say, it was pretty sweet sitting at dinner after the golf tournament seeing all those SWAT officers smiling. They knew every day citizens cared enough to make sure they would always have the best equipment and community support to bravely carry out their duties.
Theresa and I wish you a great week!
