Gold & Blue is a series of police stories which may be inappropriate for younger readers. This is a small peek behind the badge of America's Finest.
The sun was setting as I pulled into a parking lot to drop off our thirteen year old son, Troy at soccer practice
. That is when my phone rang. It was Dan Barnett. Troy knows Dan is a good friend, but he was never a cop.
Troy also heard about Dan and other concerned citizens and local businesses who had raised several hundred thousand dollars to buy the entire SDPD SWAT team cutting edge tactical equipment to replace their outdated City of San Diego issued gear.
Troy heard me thanking Dan and telling him what he and the
Citizens for SWAT(click here) had accomplished, made it one of the greatest days of my life. While Dan was still talking, (as he sometimes does) Troy looked at me with a perplexed look and mouthed the words, "one of the greatest days of your life?"
I repeated the sentence once again to Dan as Troy listened and continued to stare at me questioning why today had one of the highest ratings I could give any day.
Troy and his brothers, Raymond and Ryan were invited to attend the morning ceremony, but school was a higher priority. Troy saw the news reports and all the "hoopla" which included four satellite news trucks, radio, print reporters, and of course SDPD brass announcing the generous donation.
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| SDPD Police Range Parking Lot |
What our three sons were not aware of is what happened almost thirty years ago. It is a memory I purposely avoid sharing with anyone, but it was a moment in time that can never be erased.
I had only been a San Diego Police Officer for about two years and I was not on the SWAT team when I responded to a family restaurant on a sunny Wednesday afternoon, July 18, 1984 in San Ysidro, California. I saw SWAT Sgt. Ron Brown open the front door as he began walking out of McDonald's.
Sarge looked old and weathered as beads of sweat poured down his deeply worn face. He was wearing what we affectionately called, "Rolls Royce" heavy ballistic body armor which had about a three inch thick ceramic chest trauma plate which is designed to stop high caliber rifle fire.
The extreme weight of his vest and the events of the day seemed to push down on his shoulders. His scratched and badly worn ballistic helmet hung crookedly across his forehead as the chinstrap dug into his fleshy neck which was also red and covered with sweat.
Sgt. Brown glanced around at the carnage surrounding us. Testimony to the incomprehensible violence and sorrow that one evil man could bring to a country, a community and so many peaceful families. Sa
rge looked at me squarely in the eye as he began to leave the restaurant with the other members of the entry team. It was more of a bark then a sentence as he sternly said, "do you still want to be on SWAT?"
I hesitated for a moment because it was more of a statement then a question. I then replied, "yes." Sergeant Brown did not respond. He just walked past me as he led the SWAT entry team out of the McDonalds. I stared at the somber faces of each of the men who had fought so valiantly to win, as they realized almost everyone had lost.
I recall saying "yes" once again under my breath, but it was likely more of a whisper which was lost in the chaotic sound of people running, some screaming and the sirens of responding emergency vehicles which would soon be leaving the surrounding parking lots. Too many of them being driven by solemn faced paramedics looking out the clean, clear glass windows as they drove silently away. Their empty patient gurneys and their broken hearts hidden from public view.
That day is forever etched in so many people's memories. In the years to come, I was selected to the SWAT team and ultimately worked my way through the ranks. I was frequently humbled by the incredible amount of restraint, bravery and sacrifice by team members. The commitment they demonstrated to their fellow officers and their community was both amazing and commonplace.
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"Back in the Day"
Training at Camp Pendelton |
When I was the SWAT Commanding Officer, I made a little promise to myself. It too was just a whisper. I told myself I would strive to ensure we would never have totell a family member of a police officer or that of a citizen, that we lost again because we did not supply our peacekeepers with the proper equipment.
My underlying angst which always bubbled under the surface for so many years is the frustration and sincere belief that warriors in combat, whether they are men or women in law enforcement or serving in our military should always be provided with the very best equipment to carry out their honorable and dangerous duties.
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| Tom, Mark, Manny and Dan Barnett |
Professional sports teams would never consider even for a moment to use recycled, outdated, or improper equipment. And they are only playing games.
In the often violent streets of this country law enforcement officers understand there are no time outs and there are certainly no referees to make sure everyone is playing fair. It is honestly good versus evil and life or death can be the result.
The best moment of the SWAT presentations was later in the day. Long after the news trucks had lowered their satellite antennas and the photographers had left the SDPD range. It was when I saw the name tags on the new rifle cases. All names of heroes.
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| Names of Heroes |
I decided to cash in an old chip by asking the SWAT Commanding Officer, Lt. Mark Hanten if I could hand one of the weapon systems to a SWAT Officer I had served with previously.
When I shook Sergeant Allan Butchart's hand and handed him the new equipment it helped to heal an old wound and will remain a moment I will always cherish.
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| Lawrence and Dave |
The weapon system provides Sarge the ability to reach out and touch an evil person much more accurately and at a further distance then was previously possible. In reality the odds are heavily on the side he will never use it in that manner.
Just as importantly, the weapons system gives him additional confidence in his equipment as well as an integrated, pressure switch that activates a high intensity flashlight which will deter potentially deadly encounters and provides effective lighting in the often low light situations where crime and criminals often hide. The lighting component will also assist paramedics and other emergency personnel to carry out their life saving work.
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| Michael and Brad |
So, yes, Troy today was one of my best days ever because of Dan Barnett and a group of citizens who never carried a gun or wore a gold badge and Chief of Police Bill Lansdowne who wisely put politics to the side and recognized and supported citizens so they could help fill the gap where City Governments are sometimes challenged.
As Troy got out of our car and begin jogging to the soccer field he did what he frequently does. He glanced back one last time. I had to smile. With that smile, I can promise every citizen in the City of San Diego that by providing the best equipment to the San Diego Police Department you will save lives.
You will likely never learn their names, how old they were, or if they liked soccer or not, but I know for a fact, there will be more fathers, mothers, sons and daughters who will be able to see a smile, a nod, a graduation, or maybe even a marriage because you graciously stepped forward and helped our Police Department.
Ray & Theresa Shay
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n I saw an end cap stacked high with cases of liquid refreshment, an "Irish Beer Collection." I had to buy one. Theresa is 100% Chinese, but I am sure somewhere in her distant past her relatives must have visited Ireland.
cked with people, books, soccer balls and of course that case of Irish beer, we started heading home. That is when I saw the marked police unit drive past us on Camino Del Norte. 
eked out the following words from the corner of his mouth, "are you serious?" 
