Tactical Medic by Ray Shay

Tactical Medic 

By Ray Shay 

 

With Easter celebration behind us and the conclusion of Lent, I was happy to return to Karl Strauss Brewing Company and enjoy a cold beer with friends, Dan London and Dan Barnett. As we joked and told some slightly embellished stories, I recall thinking the evening couldn't get any better.  

That was until a third friendly face, (also named Dan) appeared and said, "Excuse me. I don't mean to bother you, but my name is Dan King.  I just wanted to say, hi."  

Have you ever met someone you have not seen in many years and your are suddenly showered with vivid bits and pieces of past memories which transports you to another place and time?

Ray and SDFD Captain Dan King

That is what I was feeling when Dan said, "You may not remember me, but you were my SWAT Commanding Officer. We also went through a couple SWAT Academies together at Camp Pendleton."

I broke into a broad smile as I replied, "Dan, how could I ever forget you? We had some great missions together."  Dan immediately laughed as well as he replied, "Yes, we did."

 It's kind of funny when tactical or military personnel describe a critical incident as "good."  It usually means the risks were high, and in the process of arresting or stopping some very evil people, we tested our own skills and teamwork.  We were happy to come out of it in one piece. The closer to the edge, the better the mission.

As we spoke, I kept wondering how Dan did it.  How he volunteered night after night to join us as we responded to armed confrontations.  How does a man run to a possible gunfight and never bring a gun? 

The SDFD Special Trauma and Rescue Paramedics placed all their trust in their fellow SWAT Officers to protect them. If anything they were more of a target as they strained under their backpacks filled with life saving equipment.

I could never do their job. If someone was shooting at me, I would always want the option of returning the favor.

I guess that is what makes Dan King, Perry, Mike and other San Diego Fire Department STAR Paramedics, past and present, very special heroes.    

The inner perimeter of a SWAT tactical operation is one of the most restrictive areas in law enforcement.  Due to the margin of error being so small, and allowing the threat to escape is not an option, even experienced uniformed police officers are removed from the inner perimeter. 

That is the high stress environment where both SWAT Officers and these select San Diego Fire Department personnel operate.  It is common for the STAR personnel to actually be part of the entry or react teams. They are frequently sandwiched between SWAT Tactical officers as they move towards the threat. 

Ray and fellow SWAT Officers escorting out a hostage taker at conclusion of a SWAT mission in Chula Vista. The SDFD STAR Paramedics were present in the operation, but are out of view of the camera.

To every person on the team, the integration of these two elements is still recognized to this day as outstanding. As with most lessons in war or law enforcement, it was developed from past mistakes.

In 1981 two San Diego Police Officers were shot and killed in a driveway in a suburb of San Diego called, Linda Vista.  SDPD Officers Ron Ebeltoft  and Keith Tiffany laid mortally wounded in a driveway for over an hour without medical assistance.
 

(Click here for related story and video on SWAT STAR Paramedics) 

   

That is why tactical operations always include a paramedic element.  To have a highly trained paramedic as part of the tactical operation is essential to the safety of both officers and suspects.

Dan, I don't know if you will ever read this story, but if you do let me assure that by your brave and selfless actions over all those missions, you had an enormous impact on my life.  I would like to "Thank You" for all that you and your fellow SDFD SWAT STAR Paramedics do to safeguard our officers who are in harm's way.

Next time the beer is on me!

Cheers!

Copyright Shay Realtors 2015 All Rights Reserved      

"Jimmy, Where's My Chicken Wings?" by Ray Shay

"Jimmy, Where's My Chicken Wings?"

By Ray Shay

9.16.14

Jimmy Mok

I feel lucky to say, "I love my father in law, Jimmy." I feel like he is my own little Chinese Teddy Bear.  Sometimes, I just want to pick him up and give him a big fat squeeze.  Like any teddy bear companion, we have been hanging around each other for a long time.

I still recall that sunny fall morning in Parsippany, New Jersey, when Jimmy shook my hand for the very first time.  He smiled and said, "how you?"  I have learned he frequently leaves out the "are" but regularly

follows up with his trademark laugh.  

Jimmy and Helen

Jimmy's family is everything to him. Witnessing his love for Theresa's mom, "Helen" was something to see.  They were married for over fifty years and he cared for her the best he possibly could as she suffered and ultimately passed from ALS.  It gave me a private peek into his soul. Jimmy is a good man.
Jimmy would frequently suggest to Helen and all of us that he wanted to open a Chinese restaurant. Helen would of course smile, laugh and then shake her head side to side and say, "no." We all knew each time Jimmy tried to run that idea up the flagpole it would never reach the top.    


In the past  few weeks, Jimmy's dream to own a Chinese restaurant became a reality. He and his business partner Joanna Huang opened Quality Taste Chinese restaurant at 9225 Mira Mesa Blvd, suite #110.  It is located at the southwest corner of Black Mtn. Road and Mira Mesa Blvd, behind Wells Fargo Bank. 

Quality Taste Restaurant

Another secret about Jimmy is he loves fried chicken wings.   Their restaurant has awesome Chinese food, all types of "Hot Pots" (including vegetarian) that you can cook right at your own table and of course, chicken wings.

Let me tell you how over the next few weeks any of our eWeekly readers can get a FREE order of fried chicken wings served with a smile, a laugh, and maybe even a "how you?"

  

.

Chicken Wings!

The secret is simple.  You don't need to print out a coupon or sign up for an email VIP program.  After you order your entree at lunch or dinner look around for Jimmy or Joanna.  Then extend your arms to each side with the your palms up like the server forgot something and holler out nice and loud, "Jimmy, where's my chicken wings?"
 
It will be so funny. I wish I could be there to hear so many of you hollering it out and other patrons staring at you.  Don't be shy.  It will get Jimmy laughing and the sound of his laughter is like music from above.
 
What you will see is a broad smile from Jimmy.   He will then jump up from his sitting position (near the Karl Strauss keg) and will shuffle to the door of the kitchen and yell, "another order of wings."  It will likely be in Chinese.  There will be no charge for the chicken wings.  They are on the house as they say
 

Jimmy and Joanna

Quality Taste Restaurant has delicious food.  One of my favorites is the spicy red fish plate from Northern China.  He also has our local brewery, Karl Strauss beer on tap.  Something about the hot food and cold beer is a great combination.
 
When Jimmy brings the chicken wings to your table be sure to ask, "how you Jimmy?" You will probably get the "how you" back with that smile and again the laugh.  I really don't mind sharing my little teddy bear with our two thousand or so readers.

 It's been his life long dream and at seventy-nine years old it finally happened.  Hey, more power to you Jimmy.  I hope at seventy-nine I keep pursuing my dreams.     

Somewhere in my heart, I feel if someone can share a dream that adds to our sense of community it will help enrich all of us. So, when it cools down a bit, get on down and tell Jimmy, "Where's my chicken wings?"  
    
  

Have a great week,

  

  

Copyrighted - All Rights Reserved - Shay Realtors 2014