Cops and Guns
by This article was inspired by a recent post by Lord Banks regarding some London police officers not being permitted to bear arms. Thanks, m’lord.
In September, 2006, Polk Deputy Doug Speirs pulled over an Antiguan national later identified as Angilo Freeland for speeding near where I live. Freeland, who was armed, fled into a swampy area and Speirs gave chase while calling for backup. He was shot in the leg. Deputy Matt Williams and his K-9 partner Sgt. Diogi resoponded and followed into the swamp where they were ambushed by Freeland. Williams was shot nine times and killed. Sgt. Diogi was also killed. and the deputy’s .40 caliber Glock handgun was taken.
I still carry a special deputy’s badge and was called upon to join a massive manhunt the following day, however, I was not among the 10 SWAT team members who cornered Freeland hiding beneath some foliage after firing at searchers earlier. He exposed one empty hand but refused to show the other which was hidden beneath leaves. The officers knew Williams’ Glock was missing and presumed it was in Freeland’s hidden and and all wanted to go home that night. Three times they ordered the68 bullets. He died at the scene. man ato show his hand. He refused. They opened fire. A total of 100 rounds echoed through the woods that day and the medical examiner’s report indicated the suspect had been struck by
The Florida Civil Rights Association had a fit and in December the Justice Department ordered the FBI to review the shooting. It concluded the evidence did not establish a prosecutable violation of the federal civil rights statutes and closed the investigation. When asked why 110 rounds were fired Sheriff Judd responded by saying, “They probably ran out of ammunition.” It turned out that Freeland was an assassin for an off-shore drug ring suspected of killing 15 people in Latin America for not paying their drug debts.
More than 2,000 law enforement officers from across the country and Canada attended Matt’s memorial service. Sgt. Diogi’s ashes were placed in the coffin and were interred along with his devoted partner.
courtesy Polk Sheriff’s Association
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Post CommentGoodselfme
On November 5, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Thank you for your well written story of truth. I recall the news coverage of that . I sometime think the police officer cannot defend himself well because of the laws we have restricting him so much. I admire the many people who try to keep the peace. Thank you for your service in that area too.
Tanya Wallace
On November 5, 2009 at 5:11 pm
I agree about Guns,it is the way we are brought up I suppose and guns are tolerated because we were brought up with them and we are not happy go lucky trigger fingers,we were also taught to use with discretion in our police forces! I think those that were not brought up with them and not trained properly would be happy go luckies being quick to pull the trigger.As for taser guns I don’t approve in the force I think they are getting way out of hand because the police nowa days depend on them and use them frequently and don’t know when to stop using them.A couple of men from the province I am from were killed by the police using taser guns on them repeatedly.I think once is enough and anymore then three times can actually kill someone by stopping their hearts! This is an excellent journalistic article as always Ken that touches on a subject that is not often enough touched on! Terrific write by all standards my friend!!
Jenny Heart
On November 5, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Very thought provoking article! Much food for thought here. Great one indeed!
Vikram Chhabra
On November 5, 2009 at 6:02 pm
That was a very interesting write up Ken. As usual you amaze me with the adventurous life you have lived and is very well reflected in your writings!!
Themax
On November 5, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Very well written and nice share,Thank you
johnnydod
On November 5, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Ken your right on the ball
Phill Senters
On November 5, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Thank you for sharing Ken. It seems these tragedies happen too often. People who should be locked away are running loose and our local officers sometimes have no immediate way of knowing who they are.
lindalulu
On November 5, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Really good article Ken I enjoyed it a lot and find it very true…
PR Mace
On November 5, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Very interesting read. My brother is a police officer and the stories he tells me. It is sad how often we see these tragedies. Ken, this was an excellent article. Don’t leave!
Jane Benitez
On November 5, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Thanks Ken, for another great article. Very valid issues that our Policemen are faced with and they should be able to protect themselves.
deep blue
On November 5, 2009 at 9:56 pm
I was out of the policing business and enjoyed polishing in my line of work. I recalled having been ransacked by a burglar in the quarters years back and when my colleagues called out for the suspect for questioning a day after, he resisted which led to a pursuit ending the latter to be shot in the back. We ended up being the ones in custody of the City Police when the media further feasted on the issue. Glad to be out of the police blotter, I was the one tasked to bring food to my colleagues, 2 of whom were pilots. Funny thing was it took a week for the suspect to recuperate and struck again victimizing a gas station where he was hacked by a bolo. Police work is a really complicated job which should be rewritten as \”foolish work\”.
Jamie Myles
On November 5, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Good topic Ken, We recently had a Seattle police officer killed when a car pulled up next to him and his partners car and opened fire.The culprets are still at large. It’s a very dangerous job and I have so much admiration for the brave men and women who put their lives on the line each day to do their job of protecting and serving.
cutedrishti8
On November 5, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Thanks for this nice one about brave Police Officers
chitragopi
On November 6, 2009 at 8:17 am
We take a policeman’s job for granted. They do deserve more recognition. Interesting narration, as usual.
Darla Cooke
On November 6, 2009 at 9:22 am
Great article!
Nadine Simone Millard
On November 6, 2009 at 11:10 am
Well you sure have a large readership, all crediting your skills of narration. You constantly excite and educate the masses, you are a voice of the people, for the people. Why throw the towel in now?
Nadine
Lady Sunshine
On November 6, 2009 at 11:54 am
Police need to arm and protect themselves, esp in dangerous situations, but people fear police brutality. Wielding power can corrupt people. Another thought provoking piece, Ken. I wish I could just sit with you and talk. What adventures you have lived…
Sourav
On November 6, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Hmmm… Interesting and disturbing.
Marie Antoinette
On November 6, 2009 at 5:50 pm
I enjoy your articles so much and I always learn a piece of information. I always thought that they could do the Freeze or I will shoot thing. Great article. On my screen I am missing some parts, don’t know why ???
Teves
On November 6, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Nice post…
Melody SJAL
On November 7, 2009 at 4:23 am
We have so many similar stories here too. Thanks for sharing this story, Ken.
Lostash
On November 7, 2009 at 6:11 am
Such a sad story, and a sign of the times we live in today. I hope that our coppers don’t ever take up arms full time, but I can see it happening over the next 20 years.
Paul2KAD
On November 11, 2009 at 10:17 am
I suspect that for everyone who lives outside of the US, American movies and TV shows give the impression that US Police officers draw their guns at the slightest thing, brandish them at will and shoot at any hint of provocation. So many TV shows where a suspect makes a run for it and the very first thing the Police do is shoot him/her.
It probably doesn’t do the US tourist industry any favours.
Good article. Thanks!
ps You seem to have some text missing?
Christine Ramsay
On November 11, 2009 at 2:11 pm
An excellent article, Ken. I am so glad the police here are not armed. I feel that once armed the temptation to shoot is always there. This is such a sad story.
Christine
wonder
On November 12, 2009 at 3:32 am
An awakening, from the vast experience of yours.Very sad too.
lillyrose
On November 12, 2009 at 9:00 am
Great post Ken, I don’t really want the police here to carry guns but with some many others on the streets now carrying them I guess it will only be a matter of time.
Ruby Hawk
On November 13, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Ken, I was sure I had commented on this piece and was going to give you another I like but I see my former comment didn’t take. Sorry bout that. I enjoyed reading about our police force, So often we don’t get the true picture. Their jobs are not easy and we should appreciate our officers more.
drelayaraja
On November 14, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Very interesting.
Ruby Hawk
On November 14, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Ken, you get another I like,
Jane Jane
On November 15, 2009 at 8:17 am
this is a nice read from you ken.
riccardof
On November 15, 2009 at 4:45 pm
I enjoyed reading this article. It does indeed point out the complexity of circumstances that police officers find themselves in. Thank you.