Ignatius Piazza: Stop Screaming, Start Shooting…

January 18th, 2010  

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**UPDATE 2/10/2010**

It seems a very vocal minority of law enforcement types have taken offense to my blog post below.

I say a very vocal minority because for every 100 or so positive responses I have received from law enforcement officers around the country, thanking me for this post, I have received a nasty e-mail from someone in law enforcement demanding that I remove the post and immediately apologize for exploiting the death of a fallen officer for Front Sight’s profit.

Well, here is my response to those who were offended and have bullied their way on to chat rooms and forums to raise an outrage where there is none.

#1. I’m not the one who created, produced or edited the video in question.

#2. I’m not the one who released it to public domain by placing it on You Tube and other video sharing sites.

#3. I did not even search it out. It has been sent to me numerous times over the years by my law enforcement and private citizen students asking me to share it with other students as a teaching tool of what not to do in a lethal encounter.

#4. Nowhere in the video or this blog do I identify any individual officer or department, nor do I give any back story or epilogue that would identify or harm the image of the individuals or department involved. Ironically, only those who are demanding that I remove this video are guilty of identifying the officer, his family and his department in their inflammatory demands and outrageous accusations.

#5. The title, “Stop Screaming, Start Shooting” refers to the repeated screaming of commands by the officer when he clearly should have stopped screaming commands and started shooting. The title does not refer to his screams that followed during the gun fight.

#6. The demand by those law enforcement types that I immediately remove this blog and apologize for exploiting the death of an officer for profit, smacks of censorship and double standard. There are hundreds of violent crimes caught on video and 911 audios on the Internet from “for profit” sites (including law enforcement sites) where private citizens are injured or killed due to their lack of good judgment, tactics, and marksmanship, yet you do not see these same law enforcement types demanding that those videos be removed.

#7. As far as being a private, “for profit” training organization, which for some odd reason also seems to offend the vocal minority, may I state that a police officer or any employee of a government agency or even a non-profit organization who ACCEPTS A PAYCHECK is working “for profit.”

#8. Am I sorry for the officer involved? Absolutely. I am sorry this officer did not receive the proper training and field supervision he needed to have the mindset, tactics and marksmanship skills to win a lethal encounter. Had he received proper training in mindset, tactics and marksmanship, he would be alive today. THAT is the reason and the ONLY reason why this blog was posted and why Front Sight provides special training offers attached to the blogs.

#9. Front Sight has a 14 year history of providing private citizens and law enforcement alike with a level of training that exceeds law enforcement and military standards without any boot camp mentality or drill instructors attitudes. To date, hundreds of thousands of people, private citizens and law enforcement alike have benefited from our training. Our post-course surveys prove 99.5% of our students love us and we welcome them back with our special offers and lifetime memberships. The other one half of 1 percent NOBODY can make happy as they look for the negative in anything positive and disrupt everyone else. We encourage the vocal minority to look for their training elsewhere.

#10. See the video blog post below that had more forwards and bookmarks than any blog we have ever posted. Because Front Sight’s purpose is to positively change the image of gun ownership by providing responsible citizens and law enforcement alike with a level of training that exceeds law enforcement and military standards, also see the special offer below the video to provide a lifetime of training for citizens and law enforcements officers alike. Training to protect you and your family so you will never become a victim due to lack of the proper mindset, tactics, or marksmanship skills.

Here is the original blog post that prompted the vocal minority to try to create an inflammatory situation where this was none…

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Every now and then I see a video that wakes me up to how badly law enforcement (and private citizens alike) truly need what Front Sight offers. I have a tendency to forget that the superior mindset, gun handling, and marksmanship we instill in hundreds of Front Sight students who attend our courses every weekend, is so far ahead of what is being taught across the country. I only see the stellar results we create with hundreds of students from all walks of life, every weekend we run our courses It takes a video like the one I am sharing with you this week to wake me up! This was a tough video for me to watch because I see this officer personally suffer as a direct result of mistakes he made, that could have easily been avoided had he been provided with the proper mindset, gun handling, and marksmanship we routinely provide to every student who attends our courses. Seeing a video like this tells me we have much work ahead of us in training America. Please watch this video to see exactly what NOT to do, then see my comments, as well as what I have created to prevent this from ever happening to you.

Please make sure that JavaScript is enabled and you have the latest version of the Flash Player to see this video.

Please forward this e-mail to everyone you know as well.

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Folks, there is a time to stop screaming and start shooting. Quite frankly, screaming doesn’t help anything. It just empowers your opponent because he can sense the fear in your screams. Instead, use a calm, commanding voice and mean what you say, the first time. Commands like “Don’t move!” or “Drop the gun!” only mean something if you are mentally ready, willing, and able to follow up with actions that will end the conflict should your opponent fail to follow your deadly serious commands. This is not poker. There is no room for bluffing. When you give a command, mean it and be willing to back it up with force or you will find your bluff called (as this officer did) by a dedicated criminal or drug-crazed psychopath. And when it is time to shoot, you need to be able to HIT with your FIRST shots. I do not like to be critical without also being constructive, so allow me to do what only I can do, and offer every law enforcement officer in the country as well as every gun-owning private citizen the opportunity for a lifetime of Front Sight training for pennies-on-the-dollar! Without a doubt, this lifetime membership will provide you with more and better training over your lifetime than any police department will ever provide you. Here is a very special Front Sight Law Enforcement Lifetime Membership that I am making available to law enforcement officers and private citizens alike, for the next seven days, and I am pricing it a manner that any cop or citizen can afford. Get your lifetime membership for pennies-on-the-dollar here. If you are in law enforcement or simply own a gun for self defense, please take advantage of this membership so you NEVER make the life threatening mistakes you witnessed in this video. I post a different article on this blog each Monday so I look forward to your visit every week. If you have an interesting photo, story or tip about a relevant topic of interest to gun ownership, firearms training or Second Amendment issues, please feel free to send it to me at info@frontsight.com If you want to take advantage of the Greatest Course, Gun, and CCW Permit Offer in the firearms training industry see this link: https://www.frontsight.com/free-gun.asp See you next week. Sincerely, Dr. Ignatius Piazza Founder and Director Front Sight Firearms Training Institute P.O. Box 2619 Aptos, CA 95001 http://www.frontsight.com info@frontsight.com 1.800.987.7719

READER RESPONSES:

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1. Dr. Piazza;

I attended a 4 day defensive handgun class about 2 years ago. It was some of the best handgun training I have ever received. I plan to attend another class in the future, I’m just not sure when or which class.

I have been a police officer for 21 years. I have seen the video in question on several occasions including once from Line of Duty which charges for their video training. You should never apologise for showing a video like this one! It is sad to see a incident where an officer is killed but if just one person is saved then its worth showing.

Keep fighting the good fight.

Peter S.

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2. Dr. Piazza,

Only those who have not had to face these situations would want this video pulled. Please keep these and others coming.  They are invaluable to me as a training officer to insure that my trainees react, gain compliance and win.  If I ever were to drop the ball, I hope that my mistake would be an example to everyone.  I have committed my life to protect the community and my fellow officer.  In my death, I pray I do nothing less. Deputy Jeff P.

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3. Dear Doc,

I read with sadness, and more that a little outrage, of the ‘nastygrams’ you have received on the video of the officer whom now know as murdered in the line of duty.

I don’t know how the got on the web. I don’t care. What I do care about in making some sense and thus some use of this tragic ( and preventable ) event.

My best friend was a cop.  My dad was a cop. My uncle was a cop. I remember as a little boy in the mid 1950s of my dad asking me if I knew why he kissed me goodnight before going to work. He said it was because of he never got to see me again at least my last memory was that he loved me.   So for those who might trot out the ‘how would you feel’ ploy in an attempt to shut me up, my reply is “If it was my dad, or uncle on that film I’d want their death to mean something. I’d want someone, fellow cops, to learn from this in the hope such knowledge might save future lives.

‘After Action Reports’ were created for just that specific reason so that others who follow us can learn what was supposed to happen, what actually happened and how to do it better in future.

So here’s one in support of what you are doing. Don’t let the ostriches get you down!

Laurence L.

PS, you have my permission to quote any or all of what I’ve written.

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4. Dr. Piazza,

I support your posting of this video because it provides such a rich learning experience.  If others can learn from this video, and I’m sure many already have, than the officer did not die in vain.

Take Care, Mark T.

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5. Well said, Dr. Piazza!

I’m with you and Front Sight – AND the expert, top-notch training I’ve received numerous times there!

Mark L.

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6. Dr. Piazza,

I have watched this video twice now and wasn’t offended in any way. Saddened, yes. I look forward to your insightful information no matter if it is in video or typed formats. Also, I’m looking forward to my registration packet in the mail as I have a June course in mind. Stick to your guns (pun intended) and I hope to see you soon.

Mark C.

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7. Dr. Piazza,

None of us are happy with the end result of this lethal encounter , that is why it is so important for as many as possible to learn from these type of mistakes. If this officer were to be able to speak from the grave I believe HE would want us to learn from HIS mistakes!!! If we do not study history we are bound to make the same errors.

Who knows how many lives will or have been saved from learning from this video?

Thank you for the post, Jim T.

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8. Dr. Piazza,

I personally want to thank you for what you are doing.  I have not been able to attend one of your courses yet, but I hope to be able to in the future, along with my wife, as I am saving up the cash for us to be able to do so.  I read your blogs as they come to my email and have read every one of your training reports.  In fact, I keep them in a special folder in my email for future reference.

I have been pro-gun and around guns all my life as my entire family is a hunting family, however, it has not been until recent years that I realized the value and necessity of being able to handle and legally carry a gun for my own protection and the protection of my wife and daughter.

I truly appreciate what you do and for showing the ‘hard truth’ about the need for training; law enforcement and private citizens alike.  Some of these stories are sad, such as the one showing the officer dying in the line of duty, but you’re absolutely right, it shows the need for proper training and just how evil the world we live in is.  You don’t seem the type to let a lot get under your skin, and I pray that you won’t let the minority of loudmouths get to you concerning this video.  We need more people like you today.

Thanks again, and keep up the good work.  I hope to be able to shake your hand and visit your training facility soon.

-Steve G.

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9. Dr. Piazza,

I want to applaud you for your efforts.  As a retired LE Officer with 30+ years in the profession, whose son is now wearing a badge and gun, I appreciate the for-profit organizations that take training to the next level.

Personnel, like my son, who work for smaller agencies may never get the opportunities I was fortunate to have in advanced training.  I spent 20 years on a tactical team working in a large metropolitan area, and I know the value of tough advanced training that challenges the individual participants and ingrains good habits that will save lives.

I worked at an agency in Georgia, where the video incident took place.  I was in a command position at the time.  We used this very video to convince the Chief that our agency needed to re-institute a professional ‘Rifle Program’ for the rank-and-file men and woman on the street.  Having a SWAT Team is not enough.  The first responders need the same equipment and training available to them.

I know that this Deputy in question was an expert shooter on a static range (good starting point), but my information is that he had not been in a violent encounter prior to this incident.  His training perhaps had not pushed him to the next level of preparedness.  It is a sad event, but hopefully it can be used again and again to help prepare LE personnel to win future encounters on the street.  I’m sure this Deputy would want that.  And I am sure that if those close to him, could separate the emotions of this personal loss of a loved one, they would want the same thing as well.

The history of our profession has proven over and over again, that assaults on LE personnel will not stop.  The assailants have become better equipped and trained, and in many cases are equally as motivated.  We should not be prevented from learning the lessons from previous encounters, no matter what the outcome was.

The past twelve months have born this out in the US, violent assaults against LE personnel continue.  As a LE trainer, firearms and tactical instructor, and 30+ year veteran I can tell you this is not the time to back down.  I now work as a contractor for the USG on a program that is part of the National Response Framework.  I am still involved in firearms and tactical training, and my opinion about it’s importance has not changed.

You are right on track.  If your motives are pure, you cannot be deterred by well-intentioned individuals who are emotionally connected and incorrect about their assumptions.  I would support this deputies family in their grief, but I would not hesitate to use this incident to protect LE personnel who will be involved in future violent encounters.

Keep up the good work!  It will save lives.

Bradford D.

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10. Ignatius,

Excellent response!  I can understand the pain of the officers of actually seeing so much of what actually occurred, and their protective feelings concerning its “actuality”.  However, the lessons to be learned are too important to have those feelings override the need for those lessons to be learned by both the general public, and those members of the public who work in law enforcement.  I assure you not all agencies provide the information that your forwarding of the video does provide.  Keep up God’s work!

Joseph K.

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11. Dr. Piazza,

I’m with you!!!  I am sure the decision to shoot and when to shoot must be the most difficult one anyone ever makes, BUT… The officer clearly was not properly trained to handle the situation and, most importantly, the target should have been easy to hit had the officer had the shooting skill taught at Front Sight.

Jon E.

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12. Dr. Piazza,

I admit it was disturbing to watch that video and KNOW after it was finished that Citizens are being led to believe that the motto “To protect and Serve” is supposed to be believed.

The video clearly showed that is not the case. Only WE can protect ourselves and must always be prepared.

The officer most definitely was NOT prepared for that type of encounter (sadly).

Thank you for your constant vigilance. Keep up the great work.

Sincerely, Bruce A.

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13. Dear Dr. Piazza:

I want to thank you sharing the video of the officer involved in the shooting incident that, unfortunately, cost him his life.

I have thirteen years of law enforcement experience, and currently have a son in law enforcement. He is a narcotics detective and SWAT Team Officer…sniper.

I have trained my entire family to act, not react. It is me conviction that if we are trained to a defensive mindset then we will be at the mercy of the person or persons setting the parameters and taking the initiative. It is readily apparent from the video that the officer was the hunted and not the hunter.

During the time in which I was a law enforcement officer several of my fellow officers were shot, stabbed, and some killed. The primary reason for such failure to serve and protect, in my opinion, was not due to poor training, but lack of continued reinforcement of that training. Thereby establishing a mental process that allows the officer to believe that everyone is going to do what they are ordered to do. In other words, they lose the edge by waiting to see if someone is going to comply with their directive. If the person does not comply then the officer starts to try something else to see if it will work, which drives the emotional train to an unwanted destination. If I can get YOU on an emotional level in any a high stress situation then I gain the initiative and you will ultimately lose.

One spring morning a fellow officer was called to a residence to basically evict the boyfriend who had become emotionally and physically abusive to the reporting party. He was out of control. When the officer knocked on the front door of the residence he and his back-up were met with a volley of gun fire from the suspects left hand protruding from the slightly open door holding a .22 caliber hand gun. He fired five shots from a six shot single action revolver. Both officers stood on the front porch and began yelling for him to freeze and put the gun down. It was only after he had fired five shots, not hitting anyone, and closed the front door that the lead officer fired two shots through the closed front door, also not hitting anyone.

I was one block away and heard the event unfold. When I arrived on the scene both of the officers were involved in a run and shoot gun battle with the bad guy down the alley behind the reporting parties home.

The bad guy was cornered in a back yard of his choosing, and a long gun battle ensued. The reason I say the that the yard was one of his choosing is because he had spent the three previous days filling cardboard boxes with sand and dirt. The boxes measured approximately two feet by two feet and were about three feet high. He also had placed plywood over the top of the boxes and covered the wood with dirt. He had constructed a maze. There were several spider holes from which he would emerge and fire on officers positioned behind the concrete block walls around the perimeter of the back yard.

The initiating officer raised himself to a firing position over the right wall of the yard, aimed his .357 caliber revolver at the bad guy, only fifteen feet from him, and told him to put his gun down or he would kill him. A shot rang out and the officer fell, having been shot in the left temple area of his head.

The initial back-up officer was only twenty feet away kneeling near the right rear corner of the house when he saw his fellow officer fall. His shock and horror was painfully obvious. In a matter of seconds a hand gun held by the bad guy emerged from around the corner of the house only two feet from the back-up officer’s face. The officer yelled “No don’t” just prior to the bad guy squeezing off two shots to the officer’s face. The officer fell to the ground seriously wounded, dropping his 12 ga. shotgun.

The bad guy was reloading from a position of cover when another officer recovered the shotgun, stuck it around the corner of the house, and fired one shot. The officer did not look around the corner before he fired the shot. The bad guy had already reloaded and had assumed a shooting stance with his hand gun raised to a firing position aimed at the corner of the house where the other officer was. The load of shot from the shotgun hit the bad guy in the left upper chest, nearly severing his left shoulder from his body. He was down for good.

I have used this incident, and many others in which I have been involved, to teach law enforcement officers to act rather than to react.

If I could say one thing to those with whom you have to do it would be for them, civilian and law enforcement alike, to take the fight to the bad guy.

Meet him on your terms and dominate him be any means available: But win the fight!!! Do not let the bad guy gain the initiative. Make him your victim, and end the conflict with immediate, decisive and extremely violent measures.

It is not easy to handle the effects of taking another persons life. It is substantially less easy for your family members to bury you because you did not act with resolve.

Be the hunter, not the hunted.

Thank you for all you do, my friend. You truly are a Great American Patriot.

Sincerely, Bob H.

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14. Dr. Piazza,

I have been in Law Enforcement 26 years and am now a Field Training Officer for my department. I am responsible for the ‘Traffic Stop / Officer Safety’ portion of the program. I hate the fact that this young officer paid the ultimate price for his mistakes BUT, I hope that my using this video as a training device for my young deputies will impact them in a way that may one day save their lives and allow them to return home safely to their families.

I plan on retiring one day to a warm beach , NOT dying at the hands of some violator! But, If that were ever the case, I hope that my death would not be in vain, or wasted. If ONE YOUNG OFFICER benefits from seeing this deputy’s mistakes, I feel that he would be proud to have helped a “brother” not go through the horrific ordeal he suffered.

I WOULD !!

Bob L.

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15. Dear Dr. Piazza,

As a former cop, I looked at the video as what is more prevalent in law enforcement that it should be.  An untrained officer in a situation that ultimately cost him his life.  Those that complain are those same officers that WON’T train unless they get time and a half, WON’T train unless someone holds their hand to and from the range and maybe even clean their gun for them.  I could go on but you know the type.

It was a very good video and an excellent training tool – keep up the good work.

Jim K.

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16. Dr. Piazza,

THIS is THE best video I’ve  ever seen for being an advocate of being prepared to shoot. THE BEST.

Mark S.

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17. Dr. Piazza,

I am a auxilliary police officer, full-time armed security officer, and part-time pistol instructor in Ohio.  I just wanted to let you know that I understand your purpose in showing that video to the people on your list.  Furthermore, I know you support police officers and appreciate them dearly just through your business of training them and giving discounts.  One day when I can afford it, I want to take your four-day pistol class.  The flight down, lodging, eating out and the class itself is a good expense on a tight budget.

However, I am frustrated that not all LE take firearm training seriously and some only shoot when required.  I think this is because more officers now then ever before don’t submerge themselves in the gun culture and are not interested in firearms.  They make the mistake of treating it like another part of the uniform.

Thank you for your service, sir, A Concerned Cop

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18. Dr. Piazza,

I don’t know what others think but when the person in the video got out of the truck, had a gun in his hand and raised the barrel the 1st time, only ONE warning should have been issued.  After that the officer should have already had his shotgun in his hands and fired, center mass.

This person was a threat and the video should be used in training.

Maybe the officer was young, not much time on the force, did not think that he had the support from the county, state, or maybe just his enforcement office if a local officer.  I am sure we have all been aware of officers that fired their weapon and then been put on leave or fired because of it.

Good video, great training lesson, and demonstrating how we need to support our law enforcement — NOTHING against the officer.

Thank you for all you do.

Allen D.

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19. Dear Dr. Piazza,

I’m just dropping you this line in support of your decision to make available this video to those of us that carry daily.

While I personally found it difficult to watch, I believe it to be necessary for those of us who carry in defense of our lives and others to learn from this deadly confrontation.  If others can be saved by viewing this video, then this poor officer’s death will not be in vain.

Thank you for your continued efforts on behalf of all of us who someday may have to fight for our lives.

Yours truly, Philip S.

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20. Dr. Piazza,

Stand your ground.

I spent 24 years as a reserve deputy in a large CA. county.  At first we would qualify monthly.  Then it became every 3 months. This was at a local private range.

Then we were required to qualify at the official S.O. range 70 miles away.  In all those times at the range we shot at stationary targets only.

In the 4-day handgun class I took last year at Front Sight, I received more and better training than my 24 years with the S.O..

I am now retired and practice Dry Fire exercises weekly.  I’m better off than many of the law enforcement people I meet in my community.

Thank you for being there for our fellow citizens.

Bill K.

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21. Dear Dr. Piazza:

That video is an excellent example of an ill-trained officer.  And, he had no common sense whatsoever.

The only reason I could fathom that would make any law-enforcement types want to have your video pulled is that it shows clear ineptitude on the part of those who are sworn to protect us.  Based on what I saw here, we citizens need to take all of the steps available to us to protect ourselves!

Thank you for your ongoing hard word and dedication to this cause.  And, my friend and I look forward to taking our two-day defensive handgun course at your facility in June.

Sincerely, Joe D.

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22. Dr. Piazza,

I thought the video a great example of what can happen, even to a professional.

Training, Training and more Training. Practice, Practice and more Practice.

That is what the video conveys to me.

Thank you, Scott B.

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23. I am with you 100% on this one, Dr. Piazza.

Will see you soon for the handgun & shotgun courses.

Respectfully, Bill L.

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24. Dear Sir:

In reference to your posting, it is a hard fact that some people should not try to be a police officer. Many years I trained officers on the street and on the fireing range. I used to boast that I could make a police officer out of anyone. Some older and a lot smarter, I learned that my brag was just that. Not all people are suited to the life behind a badge.

The rookie year is designed to take care of neglegent hireing. Neglegent retention is a slightly different subject.

Have been in gun fights. Have been shot twice. While teaching for CLEET of Oklahoma my duties (speech part) during firearms week was to explain what it is like to be in a gun fight, and what mindset you must have when shot-to survive. We can only hope that departments all over the country will learn from this awful happening.

Keep up to good work, be strong and pray for our country.

Sincerely, Harold C.

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25. Dr. Piazza,

Thank God for you; you stand up and do not apologize when no apology is called for.

Robert F.

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26. Good Dr. Piazza:

I work for DHS in a non gun-toting security position.  I saw the video (in question) and was mentally yelling advice to the officer as I watched.  Discussing it with police trainers, our focus was training ourselves and more importantly others to avoid these type of situations.   I went to the range.

The ramifications of failure in a shooting situation always extend beyond the death of the officer or citizen.  Action, not outrange is the best response.  Today many citizen and law enforcement personnel are a wee bit better prepare to react correctly in extremis because of the video.

An observation, perhaps unkind, is those that put more energy into outrange then they do into improving themselves and their fellows may be better suited as politicians, than tactical law enforcement.  The horror of that video should prompt every LE professional to increase their skills and induce there fellow to do likewise.  It sure as hell did me.

Respectfully, Michael W.

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27. Well said, Doc.

Luis F.

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28. Amen.

I agree with you,

Tim S.

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29. Dr. Piazza,

I’ve never seen this video before. But thanks for sending it on and for standing your ground. I do not view this as profiteering on tragedy. It’s a perfect example of what NOT TO DO. I cannot believe this officer just kept allowing the guy to act as his did without 1. drawing down on him much earlier and 2. shooting him the moment he reached into the vehicle.

He should NEVER have called the guy to come back to him. BAD MOVE. He also should NEVER have allowed the guy to move back to his vehicle. The guy pulled a friggin’ long gun! Had the officer drawn his firearm and moved up with him to the vehicle placing himself off to the left so he could see what the guy was reaching for, he could have shot his ass before he ever pulled it out of the vehicle. What blows me away, however, is how the officer starts yelling, “Sir! Put the gun down!” before the guy had the gun out of the vehicle. I’d have plugged the bastard at that point, without hestitation.

Sad sad sad. And inexcusable.

Looking forward to joining you later in the year. By the way, a friend of mine from the Denver area and a buddy of his are coming out to your school later in February. Later on, another friend of mine from Denver and I will be joining you.

Keep up the great work!

Tom T.

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30. Dr. Piazza,

Thank you for doing what you are doing, and please keep at it!

Regards, Roger F.

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31. Dr. Piazza,

I am a police officer and I read your blog and watched the video. I was not offended by your blog.

Indeed I am offended by the police officers that would be offended by anyone offering to teach others, either for profit or not, so that the same situation would not happen to them.

In the Police Academy we were shown several videos of officers slain in the line of duty to teach us what not to do in similar situations. I see nothing different in what you are doing.

Thank you, sir, for the service that you perform for the citizens of this country.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely, Mikel H.

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32. Dr. Piazza,

Thanks for the post. You are right on and I appreciate your straightforward response. Keep up the good work. It has been said that, “If, in life, you have created no enemies, small is the fight you fought.” Anytime you take a stand on any important issue, you will create an enemy. Thanks for being willing to stay the course.

Don F.

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33. Dr. Piazza,

That was a very sad video, sad that the officer died but, to add insult to injury, sad that the officer did not have the proper training or marksmanship to survive this situation. This video should not have offended anyone, it should have been used a fuel to fan the flames of a department who obviously need the specialized training to protect themselves as well as the public. I have seen time and time again the low shooting/tactical standards of small law enforcement agencies.

Please keep up the good work. Keep your head up – you’re doing the right thing.

Anthony W.

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34. Dr. Piazza,

Keep up the good work. I appreciate all the insight and tips you send. The videos you send are very helpful especially for those who may not be able, for whatever reason, to get to your training site.

Bob H.

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35. Dr. Piazza,

I am a retired police officer from a major agency in Southern CA. I’ve been teaching officer survival and skills with arms for over 30 years at several different police academies and to civilians at private schools. I have used this very video in many of my classes and feel that everyone that carries a firearm for defense should see it. Teaching the mechanical skills it takes to employ a firearm is far easier than teaching the mindset needed to make the decision.

As instructors we need to use every tool that we have available to ensure our students survivability. The last thing we need to worry about is offending their sensibility.

Michael H.

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36. Dr. Piazza:

Not only was this video informative, it was an excellent example of what not to do in a situation with a armed suspect who is impaired. I can only assume that the complaints from officers about this video is that they must be from towns like Mayberry RFD. The officer in the video should have shot the suspect the moment he got out of the truck with the rifle. I don’t see how anyone can say that your newsletter exploited a dead officer because of his lack of training. It should be used as a training tool for all police departments.

Terry W

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37. Dr. Piazza,

If they can’t handle the truth, they need to get out of the police business and find a new profession!!!

Lloyd S.

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38. Nice reply, Dr. Piazza. I stand by you. It’s too bad there are always those who don’t get it for one reason or another.

Marc J.

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39. Dr. Piazza,

Just wanted to thank you for offering a service that helps all of us understand the importance of not only gun ownership in this country, but also the importance of proper training. Before I took my class I did not really understand the importance of my training. Today, thanks to your instructors, I am confident that I have the knowledge to react properly. The videos you send every Monday help me focus on the importance of practicing my new skills and to work on the proper mindset, in case I need to neutralize a violent situation someday.

Jim W.

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40. Dear Dr. Piazza,

I am glad that you brought this to our attention. I am familiar with this video as I use it as a training aid when I teach my classes. In spite of the obvious tragedy, there is a lesson in it and, although I could be wrong, I would think the deceased deputy would want all of us to learn from it.

Quite frankly, I get a bit nauseated and quite angry each time I view this video and not for just the obvious reasons. I am a former LEO and I have no doubt that there are those who have called this officer a “hero” for what he did or did not do. I am not one of those.

I wonder if this officer has been held as an example of what a professional is? You can bet that had he survived, he would not have found himself being questioned by internal affairs for having offended anyone.

In our politically correct society, I have encountered far too many police administrators who are better prepared for an officer’s death than they are to defend an officer who actually wins a fire fight. Sadly, it is much cheaper to bury an officer and to pay his family their benefits than it is to become involved in a protracted court case.

Public sympathy for both the department and the family is easier to garner when one of us loses than when we win. The media gets to have it both ways, too. If an officer loses a lethal force encounter, the media will say nothing negative about the officer. However, should an officer win, the opposite becomes the case.

Americans seem to have become accustomed to making heros out of losers and being skeptical about winners. I say this is cowardice. It is alright to win – it is our duty to win – especially in a firefight. What was it about the criminal’s mind set that allowed him to win against our officer?

Dr. Piazza, I support your position. Regardless of the situation or the persons involved, the loss of precious lives should not be made worse by failing to properly analyze and learn all that we can.

May God rest the soul of a fallen brother and may His peace be upon his family and friends.

Respectfully, Allen H.

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41. Dr. Piazza,

I’ve worked with these “vocal minority” types during my law enforcement career.

Many of them are egomaniacs mostly concerned about the “celebrity” aspect and visibilty of a high-profile job along with the image and authority.

Others are just unable to internalize and process what happened to the officer because they’ve practically made a career out of hoping it never happens to them instead of training for the possibility.

I can almost guarantee no officers that would seek training from you would criticize what you did here.

Brad

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42. Ignatius,

Keep up the good work. You are the man.

Harry T.

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43. Dr. Piazza,

As a police officer for 34 years, and a helicopter and airplane pilot, and flight instructor, and as a 9-12 member, I support putting that particular video on the blog.

Yes, it was hard to watch! It was also hard to respond to the scene where a friend of mine was shot in a very similar way. My friend was much luckier, but should have shot the guy long before he did.

I suggest you refer the naysayers to an old book named Officer Down Code 3. It was written by Pierce Brooks of the LAPD years ago. The reason for writing it was he was sick and tired of watching officers make the same mistakes and get killed for it. He listed 10 deadly sins. I bet the negative nellies have even seen a poster of those sins around a station house somewhere and not know where they came from.

When we choose to ignore mistakes made by others; whether as officers or as pilots we increase our likelihood of making those same mistakes.

In most aviation magazines there is usually a column with a title like “Never Again.” These are narratives of mistakes pilots have made and lived through. The idea is so that others won’t do the same thing. Maybe it is time for Officers to write the same kinds of stories.

Keep up the good work.

Kyle E.

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44. Dr. Piazza,

Brother, keep up the good work. As for the vocal minority, they figure the louder they scream the more attention they’ll get. It doesn’t make them right. I have worked in Corrections for close to twenty years and carried a firearm for most of that time. Unfortunately, there are too many in Law Enforcement, carrying weapons, that I personally wouldn’t trust with a slingshot. Those individuals comprise the vocal minority. Keep up what you do, sir, it is needed now more than ever.

Mark N.

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45. Dear Dr. Piazza:

Don’t feel badly in the least about this video, nor your use of it to build your business and to encourage people to allow you to help them survive.

I felt badly for the man who died. He did not die a good death, but the death of a child. When I watched the video I am ashamed to say I was as angry with the man who allowed his life to be taken as I was with the animal who took his life.

I felt physically ill.

I would joyfully put a bullet in the bastard’s head who killed this man who was just trying to do his job. Far as I am concerned, I do not give a good god damn what war he fought in, he deserves to die.

I am also as mad at those who would claim to have trained this young man to be nothing but meat on a stick for the first mad dog to come along.

I am going to be there when I can afford to be there. I plan to bring my wife. I plan to bring my kids.

You are doing a good work. Tell your critics to go piss straight a rope and that you do not give a flying f#%$ at a rolling doughnut what they think. They probably also think that gun control in inner cities is a good idea, no matter that there is a direct, provable relationship between increases in gun regulation and increases in crime that stands up to regression analysis.

God bless you in your business,

Tim S.

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46. Ignatius:

Your latest post concerning the “vocal minority” is spot on!

Congratulations on your response and dedication to the Second Amendment.

I am looking forward to taking my first course with you in late Spring.

Regards, Jay A.

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47. Dear Dr. Piazza,

As a former law enforcement officer, Marine, CCW instructor and follower of yours, I must apologize for my brethren who speak ill of your post.

This event, as you state, was tragic and my heart goes out to the officers family, friends, and department. I agree that it was the lack of proper training that caused this outcome.

You are a true American patriot. A man of honest convictions and beliefs. I know that you will never sway from your convictions but the harsh words are none the less disturbing to one, no matter what we say publicly. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK! You and your staff deserve thanks and not disdain for your efforts!

Respectfully submitted, Bill R.

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48. Dr. Piazza,

I watched it over and over, I think if it can save a life it should be shown. I support you 100%.

Richard H.

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49. Dr. Piazza,

You’re doing great work. It is a shame that these officers don’t recognize and appreciate that. Keep it up.

Rex J.

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50. Dr. Piazza:

I’m writing to lend my support regarding your blog about the officer who delayed prudent self-defense til it was too late to do so. The video was compelling, and the point of using it was clear to me — also, keeping the particulars of the event anonymous was very sensitive and conscientious. What you are doing is laudatory — keep it up! My wife and I have certificates for your two-day defensive handgun course, and we’re looking forward to it.

Kent S.

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51. Dear Dr. Piazza,

Thank you for being right on with your ten point response to those who were offended by your sharing of the video in question.

One would have to be – in my favorite expression of the inanity that some people routinely demonstrate – drunk, stupid, or an idiot to not comprehend the value of the very obvious lesson that this video clearly illustrates. Those very minority but extremely vocal responses are a reflection of the loud, mean, elitist types, the so-called “Liberals” that plague our society. They should be driven out of law enforcement as they are a danger to themselves, their colleagues, and law-abiding citizens.

Thank you for all your efforts to get us back to keeping America strong. And thank you for never apologizing for doing the right thing. Keep up the good work.

Derald H.

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52. Dr. Piazza,

Well said… thanks for not being (pardon me) a pussy like most people and backing down… It was heartbreaking, maddening, frustrating, and appalling to see how this whole scenario went down. Is it sad for the family, absolutely… however, if one person learns a lesson from this powerful video and makes the correct decisions based on what can happen if you don’t, and a life is saved, then nothing was done in vain. The fact that some people would want to hide what happened is more concerning to me. No one can change what took place that day, but everyone can learn something from it and move forward.

By the way… are they telling you that “training” experts that go around teaching law enforcement officers don’t use real videos and scenarios for training purposes? BS, that is a widely used tool to educate, develop, and train law enforcement what to do, and what not to do. And last I checked, they don’t work for free.

Thanks and I can’t wait to get to Front Sight to train,

Greg V.

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53. Dr. Piazza,

It is hard to watch that video and not be disturbed, but the reality is that only in analyzing people’s mistakes can we avoid such a similar fate.

Capt. Sully, of the heroic Hudson river emergency landing last year, credits his skills to the research of crashes over the years. As a pilot he would research what went wrong with each tragic situation in order to avoid repeating the same mistake. He credits this research to his reaction that resulted in a safe landing that made him a national hero.

I have yet to attend Front Sight but am planning to take a course soon as my schedule and wallet permit. Yet, I read everyone of your emails and have learned so much. This information is invaluable and a life saver. I don’t view this video as you trying to profit off the demise of others, rather than another example of what can go wrong and what should be done to avoid a similar outcome.

Keep the faith, people just are emotional about it. They want to avoid the reality of what could go wrong. I am not a fatalist and I am sure you’re not either. You’re just providing a service to people that could save their lives. No different than healthcare, safety, driving advice.

Good Luck, George G.

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54. Dr. Piazza, I see no problem with the video, the blog post, or your willingness to grow your profitable business. It’s America where we are allowed to participate in the Free Market economy and build wealth via businesses, stock market, or real estate.

However, like yourself, I have encountered a not so pleasant attitude from a law enforcement professional (my neighbor) when I introduced him to Front Sight via the web… He expressed a little anger that Front Sight would offer training to private citizens that exceeds law enforcement training and was a driving force for private citizens to have concealed carry permits. He saw it as a knock against law enforcement and figured it was dangerous for private citizens with that type of training to be able carry concealed weapons.

Of course, I explained to him the merits of the constitution and why law abiding citizens should have a right to defend themselves and family & friends. We sort of agreed to disagree. He felt that if citizens are afraid and felt the need to carry guns, then a stronger police presence is needed and not the ability for citizen to carry weapons. In my opinion, he’s being conditioned for the coming Police State as more of our freedoms and rights are being eroded away by the Global Elite.

I think as the push for this New World Order accelerates and the push by the UN to grab guns strenghtens, law enforcement professionals might be conditioned to develop an US vs THEM mentality (if not already), because history has proven that the divide and conquer tactic is a great part of their framework in the end game.

With that being said, I champion you Sir to keep doing what you are doing and keep providing private citizens, like myself, the mindset, tactics, and marksmanship to defend ourselves, our family and friends.

God Bless,

Kevin B.

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55. Dr. Piazza,

Good response. You are absolutely right.

Carl B

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56. May I just say AMEN Dr. Piazza!!

This was a waste of a good mans life that could have been prevented by proper training.

I can not even watch that video a second time, just makes me mad, upset, sad, and angry.

There will be a day when I attend Front Sight. I have the books, I read your emails and newsletters and pass your information along to every CCW friend I have.

I say keep up the good work, and those who send crap may want to attend class so they know what to do if they encounter the same kind of “whacko” that gunned down this officer. I say stop bitching and get the training you need to save your life!! Think of the grief you could have saved his family from. That is what the whiners should be thinking about.

Sorry, I get animated when people say and do stupid things.

Kevin K.

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57. Dr. Piazza,

First of all, thank you.

Thank you for being one of the good guys, looking out to protect our constitutional rights, and looking out to protect people from wrong-doing. I have heard lots of good things about your school, and always enjoy your emails. As soon as I am able to afford it, I plan on attending some of your classes.

In the mean time, thank you for the information in your emails, it gives me a lot to think about, and helps with home practice.

As far as the video, thank you for that, too. It’s graphic, scary, violent, and very real. Real enough that it made me realize that if people will do something like that to a police officer, the rest of us are probably in even more trouble. My little bit of training with a local instructor made me realize that I have a lot to learn. Your emails and that video showed me a lifetime’s worth of information and training that I am lacking.

I fully support your posting of that video, and hope you do profit from it. As said before, as soon as I am able, you will profit from me because of that video, among other things. Unfortunately we live in a society where the vast majority of people have that “it happens, but it won’t happen to me” attitude. Keeping my eyes open made me realize it happens, and it happens to anybody.

Please continue sending this information out. Even though I can’t get the full benefit yet, you may have saved my life just by increasing awareness.

Thank you again!!

Nick L.

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58. Dr. Ignatius Piazza,

Thank you for the todays blog re: “Stop Screaming, etc.”. Yes, I watched the video, and, while difficult to listen to, understand the teachable moment. Someone, sometime, somewhere will get offended by something every day. Usually our anger or frustration occurs when what we see is too close to ourselves. I hear fear in their cries for you to stop and apologize.

I know we can count on you and your organization to stay the course. I will continue to enjoy and learn with your blogs even though I can not take advantage of your great offers. I have been unemployed for 15 months, but that does not prevent me from learning and being prepared. Your postive attitude helps me stay focused and anxious for each day to light up a new adventure.

Thanks, Bill E.

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59. Dr. Piazza,

Great response to the critics!

Robb P.

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60. Dr. Piazza,

Keep posting and keep up the great work.

Thanks, Steven A.

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61. Dr. Piazza,

Your response is well written and I agree with every point you make.

Dan W. Retired Police Sergeant

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62. Dr. Piazza,

I am not one to often get into the verbal fray. But after reading the “Stop Screaming and Shoot 2” and Cross-Dominance blogs, I can’t help it.

I am closing a 26 year career with the U. S. Army and find the short-sightedness of those who would complain about the video as a training/teaching tool to be repugnant. You nail it when you say that it was the leadership and training that caused the officers death. That vocal minority is the same vocal minority that sees only blame for clearly defining the fault – leadership and training. I, too, have seen the same attitude over my career beginning way back when I was in basic training when I mentioned to the Drill Sergeant that I was cross-dominant. He laughed at me and said that I was full of ****. This short-sighted attitude is prevalent is the military, law enforcement, and civilian populations.

I had been shooting for many years before joining the Army and knew how to deal with cross-dominance, but your blog is the first real training medium that has addressed it. There are no mentions in Army manuals or other training manuals that I have found. I thank you for your leadership and training ideology that addresses all issues, both the tragic and the mundane.

You might say how do these two blogs relate? It is simple. The leadership and quality of training I have seen – and I am sure many, many others have seen – is clear when you look at how that tragedy is addressed or even a simple physical quality such as cross-dominance is addressed. It takes greater courage to deal with tragedy or mundane details than it does to be a vocal minority complaining about some unfounded wrong. I have often found that the vocal minority allows the culture of avoidance to prevail leading to poorly trained military, officers, and citizens.

I commend you and Front Sight on standing tall. I look forward to attending my course in the near future and meeting you all face to face. I enjoy being around real leaders and trainers.

Patrick B.

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63. Dear Dr. Piazza,

You can add my name to those who support you on this one. I agree, it was a very sad affair. An officer, a human being, lost his life to a low-life. I cannot understand why some would vent their anger against you and your fine organization.

Keep up the good work.

Stephen P.

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64. Dr. Ignatius Piazza

As far as I am concerned, Don’t you even consider pulling it from any advertising or blogs you may be involved with. In fact, this video should be sent to every law abiding citizen, police department, sheriff department, highway patrol and any other law enforcement agency in the United States.

I have never seen such a powerful video. It may have more impact on me right now since my oldest kid just become employed as a local police officer in my home town of Casper, Wyoming. I am going to immediately send it to him.

Again, do not let the cry babies of the world influence you in any way. Keep the video going as long as possible. I appreciate all you information you make available.

My business (Real Estate) is kind of slow right now, but will sign up with your institute when the funds become available. I would like to be able to enroll both my sons, age 26 and 24 into your classes and will work on that.

Thanks you very much for the service you provide.

Glen T.

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65. Dr. Piazza,

Saw the video several years ago in a LE Training class. I hate that it happened and this officer did not have the training or ability to identify this as a life/death situation. No problem with your training or using the video as part of trying to solve the problem.

Mike S

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66. Ignatius,

I am on your side 100% regarding your concerned response to the vocal minority. I got to believe if officer from the video was alive to tell us, he would want that video out there to do exactly what you’re doing with it – to teach and learn from.

I appreciate all that you do.

Shawn S.

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67. Dr. Piazza,

I still get sick to my stomach and my adrenalin pumps when I see just the opening of this video. I lost two nights sleep over it and do not enjoy reliving it in my mind.

Having said that, I have been VERY motivated to think things out in my mind…you know, what if scenarios…How would I act, How would I react, what is my line-in-the-sand? I have dreamed about different scenarios that may never some up, but in my ‘dreams’, I stand up every time, even though getting hit. I think that I have the combat mindset that I need, I just have to get the training form you to be prepared to take control of every situation, to keep myself and my loved ones safe in this weird world.

Thanks for all you do, keep up the good work, and I’ll see you just as soon as I can afford to come…

Doug G.

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68. Dr. Piazza,

Thank you. Well said. Keep up the great work!

Yuri T.

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69. Great response Piazza!

Right On! Right On! Right On!

Mike F.

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70. Dr. Piazza,

After watching the video, I headed next door to my neighbor who is a city policeman and a member of the SWAT Team. We watched the video together, and after he got over the initial sadness of the event, he asked me to play it a few more times and picked it apart as to what the officer did wrong.

He then said he was going to find it to use as a training tool in his dept.

Those of us who are really interested in improvement, and not members of the doughnut club, appreciated you posting this video. The world is a cruel place, and whether LEO or sheep dog, we need to be able to view lessons of this nature constructively and then take steps to assure we are not the star of the next “training video.”

Thanks for all you do.

Rich G.

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71. Dr. Piazza,

I’m sorry that you have received undeserved criticism from people caught up in the emotion of this terrible situation.

I will not cast any shadows on fallen individuals, but I will say that Political Correctness in training and as a overall attitude in law enforcement is and will continue to get people killed.

I thank you for your emails and showing any and all audios or videos that will contribute to saving lives.

As a three decade veteran of Houston P.D. and now a P.I. I live by the motto “You Should Never Stop Learning”.

Thanks again for your devotion, Glenn M.

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72. Dr. Piazza,

Those that responded in a negative way to this posting are probably the ones that need most desperately to see its message. I have friends in both the military and law enforcement and am scared to death of what could happen to them. At the same time, I am immensely grateful for the careers they have chosen and hold them in the highest of esteem as it is their daily sacrifices that keep me and my family from having to face these types of situations on a daily basis. That being said, I also wish that I could get each and every one of them to Front Sight so that they could see the potential deficiencies in their training and be better prepared to face these idiots that exhibit no respect whatsoever for our laws.

To those that have bashed you for your blog, I say… perhaps they are the ones that are in most dire need of proper training, as should they encounter such a threat, they may very well follow the unfortunate result of this officer. I hold no bad feeling towards the officer… in fact I feel the deepest regret for him in that no peace officer should EVER fall in such a meaningless way. I wish with all my heart that he had responded differently, and the man with the gun had taken his place, but that is not the case. We must ALL learn from this in order to make sure it is NEVER repeated, both law enforcement and private citizen.

I want, in closing, to offer you the GREATEST thanks I can for what you have done and are doing to bring attention to what we all need to see and learn. Please do not be disheartened by the negativity, as the silent majority thoroughly back and appreciate your efforts.

Eric P.

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73. Dr. Piazza,

I thank you for your continued dedication to help ensuring we are all properly trained for our own benefit.

This video is just another example of the combat mindset you guys are teaching, and I know your efforts are in fact saving lives.

I look forward to my next class so that I can continue to train and develop into a person that will not be a victim!

Vinny K.

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74. Dear Dr. Piazza,

When I did your four day defensive handgun training I like many others recognized that after a lifetime of handling weapons I did not know enough to be prepared for a violent/lethal encounter.

This is an upsetting video and shocking to all but the most hardened. It is difficult to watch, however it is incontrovertibly a training tool. The sadness we feel for a fallen defender of our way of life is truly profound. Your posting of this video for your students is bold and with merit.

If your post simply shocks citizens and officers into knowing that they may not be ready, then you have done all of us a great service. And, of course our hearts go out to the officer and his family who suffered this tragedy.

Regards, Michael O.

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75. Dr Piazza,

I want to commend you for the good work you are doing- and your bravery in posting things that need to be dealt with, like this video. The first time I attended Front sight I watched that video in one of the lectures- it haunted me for days- but it also changed my paradigm of how to deal with a threat. I vowed that AVOIDING dangerous threats by being in the correct “condition” is the best way to defend myself, my family and others,- next when I issue a command- that’s it. No “waiting to see if the perp will take me seriously”.

As well I explained the video to my wife and we talked about how serious things can get and how just being aware- and ready to fight can and will save your life.

Keep it up- don’t let the “blue line” slow you down, you are doing a great work for America.

BTW- I tell everyone I can about Front sight and have sent many, many folks there over the years, I will continue to fight alongside you to educate people on what it really means to be free.

Jason S.

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76. Dr. P.

Right on!!!!!!!

Bob H.

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77. Hi Doc,

I feel that I have an adequate background to respond to your email.

I have been a police officer since 1980 and I still am full time employed as one today. I retired once in 1997 as a Sergeant for the police division and a Lieutenant for the fire division of a public safety department (combined police and fire department). I obtained my Emergency Medical Technician-Advanced certification in 1975. All of this gives me 35 years of experience as an Emergency Services Professional.

I have been an avid shooter since age 10, I am also an NRA certified firearms instructor and have been one for about 15 years and I am proud to also be an endowment member of the NRA. As you can probably tell, I am past the half century mark.

I am sure that the officers that wrote you the negative responses to your email with the video are neither experienced officers or aware of good officer safety practices.

Every officer in this nation that has not seen the video you made available should and they should consider it an excellent training tool. That specific video is a perfect example of HE WHO HESITATES DIES. When the driver of the stopped vehicle and started to go behind his seat to retrieve something (the rifle), the officer should have had his gun out, and when he recognized it was a rifle the commands should have stopped and the officer should have been firing until the driver was no longer a threat.

You will never be able to help those officers that could not see the video for what it was. Do not apologize. I will still fantasize that I will one day be able to afford one of your courses not only for the experience I can get but to be proud to have it in my résumé

Respectfully Submitted, Ofc. Cliff Z.

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78. Dr. Piazza,

It always amazes me when I hear, or hear about, the ratings of ‘the vocal minority’. My first thought is how could they possibly disagree with what is so obviously the right action. Then I remember that these people are usually selfish, self centered, self seeking people, who have some other interest in mind than the good of others. Their view point is totally irrational, and cowardly.

Thanks for reposting the stop screaming video. When it originally came out I watched it twice. Once in disbelief that someone would go on that long with out taking effective action, and the second time to see where I would have taken action had it been me. This video makes you think, and is an effective training tool!

I have no doubt whatsoever that you posting that video IS saving lives. It’s totally obvious that the screaming officer went on way way too long before taking effective action. But here is a very important point! No one could watch that video without changing his thinking and his idea of WHEN would be the point to take effective action and not GO ON HOPING. I’ll bet almost every person who watched that video shortened his idea of the amount of time that should pass before he should stop asking (it NEVER should even get to the point of screaming) and start enforcing. I know my idea of it changed.

It’s just so simple and obvious. You ask, then you up the gradient of force and control to whatever is necessary to get compliance. Watching that video and reading your blog shows you that necessity, it shows that your life (and the lives of others) DOES depend on it, and it prepares you ahead of time to make that decision and then be willing to take the necessary effective action to bring the situation to full resolution.

Some officer making a routine stop, and having watched the video you posted and having read your blog, will now be more prepared for that situation and ACT SOONER than he may have otherwise done and therefore save his and others lives. He will handle the situation long before it gets out of control, and be able to come home to his wife and kids, have dinner with them, and be secure in knowing his chances of doing this every day are markedly improved.

I really like 4 things that you do:

1. You are always up front with us and tell us the truth whether it is ‘popular’ or not.

2. You never compromise with what you know is right and use your full skills, without reservation, to help all of us survive better.

3. You demand excellence and effectiveness, and that can’t help but inspire and rub off on others. I know it does me.

4. You truly care about each of us, our families, our groups, and the U.S.A. and teach us no nonsense, vital survival skills to help us preserve, protect and defend them.

It’s really true.

Thanks for your great e-mails and blogs. I don’t have to tell you this but anyone who is expanding at a huge rate and is flourishing and prospering like you are is doing things RIGHT.

I am really happy a friend of mine sent me an e-mail of yours way back when, I’m honored to be a part of your group.

Sincerely, Tony B.

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79. Dear Ignatius,

I can’t praise you enough for standing up to ignorance and clearly opposing it.

You have answered the brainless critics, which is correct, since you are expert enough to know better than they do. Their false perception of potential embarrassment to officers is unfathomable. When I see this video, I am frustrated and grieve for the officer. In that situation, he clearly demonstrated that he lost control, and his opponent toyed with him, unafraid, because he knew the officer wouldn’t shoot first.

I applaud your continuing efforts to help responsible citizens and officers to get and keep the edge in dealing in these life threatening situations, regardless of any critics. I don’t know what those people of poor judgment are smoking, but they sound like very unfortunate and confused people. If they are law enforcement personnel, they need to realize you are helping, not poking fun or being disrespectful, or using an unfortunate example solely to line your pockets.

Your generosity alone should be obvious to anyone who bothers to read what you offer.

This is just to repeat what others have written and told you: you are doing the right thing by the American people, and you have a right to do so, and to be very happy and proud of what you do and how you do it. Keep up the excellent work and the patriotic light of truth will shine brighter for your having continued to help people learn to protect their rights, themselves, others, and their property.

Here’s to you!

Richard H.

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80. Dr. Piazza,

As a fulltime paid L.E. who likes going home alive and winning confrontations I think this video should be shown to every law abiding person who carries a gun for their job or self defense. Anyone critical of it if they don’t see the message in it should leave the profession. As Bill Jordan said, There are no second place winners. The screaming of commands got to be ridiculous. Telling the guy to exit and come back was bad from the get go. I think I even heard the killer state he was a Viet Nam vet at the beginning. There are so many warnings that the stop was going to turn to shit that the poor officer should have seen in advance and if he didn’t see it should not have been on the street patrolling alone. You have to say what you mean, mean what you say and stand your ground. This is not a Monday morning quarter back thing. Stop screaming and shoot is a perfect title. I’ve been in situations where the bad guy thought and knew I was crazy enough not to F with. I have hit first and hard when the time called for it and kept hitting until the suspect submitted. I applaud you for putting it out there. If it’s not shown in Officer Survival sessions it should be.

Sky L.

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81. Dr. Piazza,

Your opinion is right on.

Remember the line in the sand!

Dale M.

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82. Dr. Piazza,

I AGREE with your posting of this video. This is reality. If you are not prepared physically and emotionally to deal with this type of situation you are in serious trouble. Especially if you are in law enforcement. Is it any more egregious to these whiners to show photos and videos of traffic fatalities at a drivers training school? If they are offended it may be because it hits too close to home. Lots of LEO’s and non LEO’s I know are ill prepared to deal with armed confrontations. Someone needs to wake them up. Keep up the good work.

Allyn B.

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83. Dr. Piazza,

What this officer gave us is a gift that we should cherish and learn from. I have seen this video more times than I can count and all at various LE training courses.

Screw those who would criticize you and your comments. I’d bet they are the ones who would do more talking than shooting.

For future reference, if I am ever killed and it’s caught on video because of something I did wrong you and everyone else better show it to others for training so that someone doesn’t make the same mistake I did that cost me my life.

Keep up the good work! I enjoy your blogs and agree with about 99% of what you say.

Tyler C. SWAT Cop

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84. Dr. Piazza,

Screw ’em! The best lesson is learned from others mistakes. Yes, this was unfortunate, but it happened, what’s done is done, lets not forget this officer and his dash cam with better training may save a countless number of lives in the future.

Keep up the good work!

Looking forward to meeting you in March.

Jeff C.

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85. Dr. Piazza,

I am a Police Sergeant with the federal government and we have had several email exchanges.

I wish I could take every bleeding heart moron that thinks that the police are the bad guys and show this and many other videos to them. I am always angered when some predator attacks the police and the usual band of morons runs out to scream about the fact the police shot the person.

I have drawn and fired my gun in the line of duty. It is not something any of us want to do. But you had better rest assured I do not want to work with even one officer that I believe will not do so if needed.

I supervise many younger officers. As you state most have not had anywhere near the training they should have. But training cost money and the public will not pay for it. It cost man hours, ammo, range time and instructors time. Which of course you know. They do not seem to get that at all.

The officers that wrote you suffer I bet from buttnchairitis. That is they are like REMF in the military far removed from harm’s way and are professional Monday morning quarterbacks but are good for little else. They are the reasons Officers hesitate and many officer die. They are the ones taking weeks to second , third and fourth guess officers that had nana seconds to react. Not think just react. In short I hate them. They have hurt my fellow officers and they should retire.

These are the same morons that listen to the over educated doctors that test new recruits to weed out A or Alpha personalities. They figured out betas cause less lawsuits and are less likely to go looking for trouble. That is right they intentionally look for passive people to be cops and arrest violent criminals. This has happened in the last few years and is destroying law enforcement.

Remember the Taser incident at the John Kerry speech? Where seven officers had one mouthy subdued subject and they tazed him. BETAs. Like little dogs, fear biters. That is how a beta will react or scream and run from an assailant. Like in the video.

I come from a long line of police officers, I have discussed it with them and they agree the problem is now everywhere. Even the military has fallen prey to this stupid thought process. The new Army combatives for example, even states at the beginning. “The soldier that wins in a hand to hand situation is the soldiers whose buddy shows up with a gun!” Saw it myself, was shocked. When I was trained the guy was dead long before anyone was going to show up.

Dr Piazza. we are in deep doo doo here. Hope those you train are spreading what they learn far and wide.

Tom W.

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86. Dr. Piazza,

Do not, under any circumstances, take off this video! As disturbing as it is to see it is invaluable in training and as a reminder to stay focused, vigilant and when the fight starts to it harder and faster than the other guy . I am a 19 year police veteran. I have been involved in gunfights and have been there when fellow officers were shot and died. It is alwarys tragic to see this, but we need to learn from the past or we are doomed to repeat it.

Philip B.

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87. Dr. Piazza,

You might have heard of the saying “A wolf in sheep’s clothing”, well I have also taken to another saying that is not as common. It is one I coined while giving a profession of arms lecture, it is “A sheep in lion’s clothing”. It is those very types, like the ones who negatively replied, that the phrase was developed for. As I start my second career in law enforcement, I am quickly discovering that there are more than just a few of my future team that are here just to collect a pay check. They do not take anything serious unless it directly effects their pay or personal time. They also just happen to be the ones that do not work out, and only fire their duty weapon during quarterly quals scoring just enough to pass. They typically do not carry a backup weapon, shotgun, patrol rifle, or at a minimal an edged weapon. They are also the types that usually do not carry off duty. I take my work outs just as serious as my weapon training (both firearms and edged). I do it more for my team mates than myself. I would hate to be the one that wasn’t not able to defend a comrade, not to mention myself. Especially when the common catch phrase is “Protect and Serve”. You are absolutely right when it is a mindset. It is also a commitment. A commitment to yourself and those around you. I always remind myself of that every morning when I kiss my kids and wife goodbye. I always remind myself of that everyday as I work out. I always remind myself of that I every time I strap on my weapons. I always remind myself that everyday as I pray. It is commitment that makes a difference. Every push up, sit up, pull up, mile, lap swam, combative session, and range period is driven by commitment. I like to think of it as investing in the safety and commitment to my duty, country, team, community, and family. I am just glad that for every non-committed person, there are two or more committed. Sorry to ramble, but I just had to get it off my chest. I will leave with this Hebrew proverb that says it all. “If not me, then who? If not now, then when?”. Please keep your commitment, and rest assured that myself and many more like us are keeping their’s.

Jesse R.

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88. Dr. Piazza,

I had seen this before and it was very sad to know all the things the officer did wrong. The saddest of all he was not properly trained. It is even sadder that other so called officers would slander you and what your doing.

I am looking forward to coming to your training later this year. Regards,

Bill E.

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89. Dr. Piazza:

There are many methods of learning. While viewing someone make a mistake that costs them their life is not an enjoyable lesson to watch, it is nonetheless a valuable and necessary lesson. This poor officer was not suited for his job, pure and simple! Viewing this, I was inwardly yelling for the officer to stop talking and start shooting! He knew he had to shoot; but, he didn’t have the necessary mindset to shoot. . .even to save his own life.

It seems to me that every cop on the job would want this lesson to be exposed and learned by all!

Ken E Retired attorney and judge.

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90. Dr. Piazza,

Please keep up the good work. I viewed the video and the officer let his opportunity pass by multiple times. Why? I do not know. He did not have the right mind set or training. As a former LE training officer I applaud your work. When something bad happens you don’t hush it up. You study it, analyze what went wrong, why it went wrong, what do we do to change it and then you work to correct it. Thank you for all those you have changed. Mindset and skill level. Perhaps one day I too will join you.

Again, please continue to train each and every one that comes your way.

Sincerely, Doug F.

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91. Dr. Piazza,

I have been in law enforcement for over 26 years. I have worked some of the toughest streets in some of California’s meanest Cities. I am a 100% in agreement with your assesment. The video is very sad in many ways. As a firearms and tactical trainer it is sad this young officer did not receive the proper training to get him in mind set to win. We use this video as a training video. It is sad to say we in law enforcement use the videos of deadly encounters between cops and crooks. Not all end this many end the right way, where the crook gets what he asked for. That is correct, asked for. The suspect is the one who decides the course of action we must take.

Do not take down the video. Citizens & Officers alike need to see reality and know you must have the mind set to win, to make sure we all go home to our families every night. It is very unfortunate, this maybe the training some Officers may get with budgets the way they are. So keep up the good work, maintain the good fight and most important, always be safe.

Blake B.

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92. Dear Dr. Ignatius Piazza:

Just dropping you a note concerning the video of the officer who lost his life in a shoot out. ( like you need a few more, right ? )

Up until several weeks ago, I knew nothing of you, or your training institute. A friend of mine sent the video that’s causing the flap, to me. Somewhere attached to that video, was the name “Front Sight”, and I decided to find out what that was, and now of course I am well aware of you and all that you do.

I am a retired Deputy Sheriff. I retired in 2004. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1999, and hung in until 2004, but I couldn’t take the chance that I would be the reason someone else got hurt, so I had to go. In reference to the video, I happen to agree with you. That officer should be alive today.

The moment the suspect began to exhibit bizarre behavior, ( ie. running around and hopping up and down in the roadway, screaming ) that officer should have realized that he was way out of his league. But no one ever told him he ALWAYS had the option of getting back in his patrolcar, closing the door, and backing as fast and as far away from the nut as possible, until more personnel could be assembled. If that meant you parked a half mile away to simply watch the clown, or follow him at a distance of a half mile ( should he drive off ) until enough help arrives, that’s fine.

But you see, that’s not a macho type response, so most “training officers” are loathe to include that option to most new guys/gals. Now if, for some reason, that type of tactic is not viable, and you are forced into the shootout scenario, I agree with you. Yelling is fine, if you’re trying to get the dog back into the house at three o’clock, on a snowy January morning. But, if you are fighting for your life, first you must realize that you are fighting for your life, LONG before any shots are fired.

The mindset of the officer MUST be that I WILL go home at the end of my shift, to my family, the people that love me, and that I love, and the people who desperately need me to be there. Nothing else matters. Everything else is merely a matter of paperwork. The moment that the nut went back to his truck, to me anyway, signaled that he was about to get a weapon of some type, and it was time to request assistance from two of my best friends — Mr. Smith, and Mr. Wesson. (I was an old dog, non conformist–.357 mag. L frame, cuz’ I’ve never had a revolver jam on me yet, in only 30+ years.) At that point it was good night sweet prince ! Sorry to rattle on and on, but I just wanted you to know, that you are right.

I really appreciate what you are doing, in that you are training people, ALL people, the proper way to handle a weapon, to aim one, and to shoot one. I have been receiving your almost daily shooting tips, via email. I would love to go to one of your schools, with my wife, but I’m having a few physical problems, and since I’ve retired the funds have been a bit strained.

I love my country, but I fear my government, and the second amendment is always the first one they want to take away. Once that one is gone, the rest will go very quickly. I spent over 30 years of my life trying to protect peoples lives, property, and freedoms. 1 will not let them take mine. Thank you for trying to help protect mine. Keep up the good work, sir.

Sincerely, Jeff H.

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93. Doc,

Hiding our heads in a hole in the ground and refusing to look at what is really going on in the world around us will not improve the situation. That video gave me a knot in my stomach, but it is a grim reality that needs to be seen. It proves your point very well about being prepared at any time to defend yourself and having the ability to do it. I am hoping that some of those people who complained were just feeling the overwhelming desire to be there to help the officer and were just lashing out at you for sticking reality in their face. Maybe you reminding them how helpless they would feel if they were in the officers place without the training to win the fight.

I saw a video a few days ago of an officer in New York fighting on a busy city sidewalk with a large drug-crazed man while some jerk filmed it with his cell phone for several minutes, before someone else finally helped. I know would help if I saw an officer in need (or someone burning our flag), and I know it would be best if I have the skill at arms to win the fight quickly and decisively.

I purchased you handgun training manual a few months ago and between my dry fire practice and what I learned in the book I have greatly increased my accuracy from missing the target to a 3″ group at 15 yards with my Sig P220-45. I still have a long way to go. I also find myself being a lot more comfortable, but not careless with my weapon. I hope to visit your training facility some day and shake your hand. Until then, keep up the great work you are doing. God bless.

James G.

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94. Dr. Piazza,

Thank you for posting the video. It was political correctness that killed this officer along with his lack of proper training. Front Sight is the solution, not the problem. Please continue educating the public. I was trained as an MP during Vietnam. I did not have to deal with political correctness. If I have the right to shoot, I shoot.

Ron M.

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95. Dr. Piazza,

As a longtime firearms instructor and patrol supervisor, I think that the information provided by the posting of this video, along with your comments concerning “stop screaming” are not only valid but needed. I have had consent discussion with those officers who work for me, or who have attending training I was conducting, concerning what I see as a growing trend to let suspect go too far before taking action. I do not know if this is a result of being politically correct, afraid of litigation or simply a byproduct of modern culture which frowns on fighting, but it is a dangerous mindset for any officer.

I would never armchair quarterback the actions of another officer and blame them for what happened. The only one at fault here is the suspect who was obviously crazed and without respect for either the officer or human life. But that does not mean that we cannot learn from the officer’s actions, or hesitation to take action. While making the decision to shoot earlier may have been something which led to a lengthy defending of the officer, it is always better than being dead. I have no doubt that any civil jury would have sided with the officer involved had he taken strong offensive action rather than waiting until he was on the defense.

Tom B.

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96. Dr. Piazza,

As a (former) firearms instructor I find this video a valuable and graphic training tool.Thank you for demonstrating how poor training and an (obvious) unwillingness to take another’s life, in self defense, results in tragedy. The officer in the video NEVER should have given a single command after identifying the fact that there was a gun in the control of his suspect. Pistols are NO match for rifles. The only course of action should have been sight picture, sight alignment, trigger control, breath control (tough in a high stress situation) and follow through. He needed to get off as many accurate rounds as possible as quickly as possible. Closing the gap, keeping the suspect pinned down (by SHOOTING HIM) and unable to respond – while closing the gap- and eliminating the threat seems the only reasonable course of action to me.

It looks as though the officer allows the suspect to manipulate his rifle. I assume he was either retrieving the rifle, loading a magazine, or taking it out of a case. In any event, it is my opinion that he lost his life as a result of not being prepared to kill another human being. The wrong mindset for law enforcement or a lawfully armed citizen. You can’t HOPE your way out of a deadly conflict with an individual intent upon killing you!

Barry B.

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97. Dr Piazza;

Please do not remove this video; it is an essential tool in the fight to get people the correct training and to get people to see the need for citizen carry of firearms. I had seen this video prior to your sending it out but it had been a while. When I got it as an attachment to your newsletter I viewed it and immediately too my laptop and showed the video to my wife; I made her sit and watch as that officer stood impotent in his technique and mindset and get shot and then I told her this is what will happen if you lose focus on the task at hand; this is what will happen if you lose your awareness of your surroundings and for a moment think you can control something you cannot and that your mind always needs to be ready to make that split second decision to go to code red draw that weapon and use it.

We don’t have a whole lot of money right now due to the tough times but due also to the offers you have made I have made a commitment to my life and training and have purchased first the five day deal with the handgun and later, (when it was offered) the 9/12 membership so I can have a lifetime of firearms training. WHY? SO THIS NEVER HAPPENS TO ME! Never let a few with a loud opinion effect what you know to be true.

Dean S.

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98. Dr. Piazza,

I had previously supplied a copy of the video to our Officers as a training tool. I support your posting of the video and the context in which you did it. Any LEO who would complain about the posting is doing a disservice to themselves and those (both LE and civilian) who have chosen to go forth armed to combat evil.

Detective David S.

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99. Dr. Piazza,

I also know who this officer is, and it was very, very difficult to watch once I realized who and what the video was of. HOWEVER, it does not change the fact that everything you have said is absolutely correct. As a private citizen, that man would have been shot and dropped longed before the situation got as far as it did. Unfortunately, this may have been the first time he was in a situation like this alone and wasn’t sure whether to cover his ____ by the law, or protect his life. Unfortunately we will never know. He either didn’t have the training or panicked when time to step up. It is an extremely sad situation, but I do not think you did anything wrong by educating the people better, and ANYONE who knows your business knows that you are not in it for strictly profit- as a matter of fact some of the deals I see I am just blown away!

We are planning our trip in May and I already have our coupons and I am soooo excited about training with your staff. Everyone has an opinion. Here is mine. You are doing a GREAT JOB and we need more Americans like you!

Suzanne H.

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100. Dr. Piazza,

I have years of LE and Military basic, competitive and combat marksmanship training experience as an instructor and instructor-trainer. The attitude towards training I had to fight over the years was constantly my biggest battle, not only with students, but with the management and administrations of those students. This is a vivid and heartwrenching example of what that attitude about training results in. I cried when I watched this video.

When bad things happen, you will react based on your instinct. Society has trained us on a daily basis to be a nice guy, and nobody wants to shoot someone else and kill them. Training on a regular basis is the only way to change what society has engrained in us, in what I can only define as bringing out the God-given “Will to Survive”.

Thank you for posting this, I had not seen it until today. Keep on doing what you are doing, the future of our nation’s liberty and freedom depends on it!

Ken D.

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101. Dr. Piazza,

If this video will help save the life of one officer then the arguments against this video are moot.

Regards, Dallis M.

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102. Dr. Piazza,

You sir, owe no one an apology.

If anything the awareness brought by this video will keep someone alive so that they can also live to complain about you and your company.

Chris B.

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103. Dr. Ignatius Piazza,

As I’m sure you already know, police departments throughout the nation use video such as this for training. I saw it first when I was a reserve officer, during a STOPS class. And it was expressed by the Families of these fallen officers that if it helped save one life it was worth distributing.

Keep up the good work your doing.

Jeff H.

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104. Dear Ignatius,

Thank you for taking a stand for what is right and having a desire to see the citizens of the USA safe and protected.

I am a senior pastor of a small church in northern California. I see on the horizon as you and many others do the need to be ready. Psalm 23 talks about the shepherds rod and staff. The staff was to rescue a sheep but the rod was to kill the wolf and to protect the sheep. While finances have prevented me from getting the training and gun to have a CW permit I know that, that day will come that when I stand in the pulpit I will have a concealed ‘rod’ to protect the sheep.

I encourage you when you are under attack that you know there are many standing with you so continue to raise the standard for truth and justice.

Brian H.

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105. Hi Dr. Ignatius:

You made some great responses to your critics.

I see that you shoot as straight on your blogs as you do on the range.

I found myself shouting “All Right!” when I read them.

Keep up the great work you are doing.

Wesley H.

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106. Dr. Piazza,

I am not surprised that you got comments from LE like you did. There are a lot of them out there who forget they are part of the citizenry and not a separate caste. They have a very hard job, made more difficult by laws and policies that have been passed. However, I thought your posting was perfectly clear, not inflammatory, and certainly not disrespectful of the officer involved. He probably responded just as he was taught, but limited by the usual PC concerns of the hassles he’d face if he shot when he probably thought he should have.

The proper response to those who criticized you would be to ask them if they would have done the same thing? If so, then they would be dead, too. A few days at Front Sight, especially the lecture on when to shoot or not, and the consequences, and maybe they’d rethink their criticism.

I am a pilot, too. Pilots will spend hours talking about accidents. Yeah, sometimes we say the poor dead pilot was dumb (What was he thinking taking off into known icing and thunderstorms, at night,….), but the intent is always to learn from those who made the mistakes. You might think you have to reinvent the wheel, but no one has to reinvent a fatal accident. I don’t know the officer in the video, I never searched for his name.. It doesn’t matter. I am sorry he made those mistakes, but for those who are criticizing you, his mistakes are my gain. I learned a lot from watching it and comparing it to my training. I know I am not a cop or soldier. I may never be in a situation like they are daily, and I might screw up, too. However, I know from my one experience where I almost drew my gun that when you might be in a position to yell STOP, you damned well better know the limits, have thought about the limits before hand, and be confident in that decision because when the thug crosses that line, you can act decisively and accurately to save your life.

Keep up the good work, keep up the blogs, and please, open the second Front Sight in Texas!

Scott H.

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107. Dr. Piazza,

As a law enforcement officer, I find the video tragic, but not because you sent it. I agree with you, and have shown it to several of my coworkers and my wife, who recently got her CCW.

If one carries a gun for a living or personal protection, they should have the willingness to use it. I don’t know why the officer yelled and didn’t shoot until it was too late. I suspect it was improper or insufficient training, and thought that from the moment I saw the dash cam video, the first time you sent it. The folks I have shown it to all say the same thing or some variation of ‘what’s he waiting for?’

I appreciate you posting it, as perhaps it will open some officer’s eyes to the fact that there are no second place winners in our line of work.

Jim D.

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108. Dr. Piazza,

I for one, fully endorse the use of this video as a teaching tool of what not to do in this scenario. I, too, feel extremely sorry for the officer because he either failed to receive the proper training on how to react in this situation or he was simply not mentally ready to respond as he needed to.

Our local Sheriff’s department actually has used this video as part of their training and, while the outcome was traumatic and sad, the lessons learned from this encounter were invaluable and hopefully will save officers’ lives in the future. I commend you for not releasing any identities here and trust that those who watch this video take away the lessons that are needed for survival or they certainly have the option of not watching it.

Sincerely, James G.

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108. Dr Piazza,

I just watched the video you posted called, “Stop Screaming and Start Shooting”. It’s upsetting and hard to watch every time. I actually watched this video years ago when I attended FLETC, the federal Police Academy. What is most upsetting about the video is that you quickly start to realize that the officer clearly doesn’t know what to do and the point at which he should have started shooting had long passed.

I just want to scream at his department for the obvious lack of training. My brother officer, a good man lost his life because of it. There is no excuse for sending one of our hero’s out into the world to face “real” evil without giving him the tools to win, to defeat the bad guy and go home to his family. The only reason you are receiving angry email is because of guilt, they know they “FAILED” him. Yes, they are hurting from his lose, so I will refrain from further criticism. As long as they have learned from this, I hope and pray that they have vowed that they will take every step humanly possible to see that this never happen again. If this email is ever posted, any L.E. Official reading this message, please put high powered rifles, i.e. (M-4/M-16)or some type in every single patrol vehicle. The next videos I want to see are us defeating the bad guy. God Bless.

Kevin G.

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109. Dr. Piazza,

I am a Correctional Sergeant in a California prison where we are assaulted on an average 9-10 times a day. Thank you for the video. It is always amazing to me how fast a situation turns deadly. The tragedy on the video needs to be shown. I am very sorry for the family of the fallen Officer and his dear friends. But perhaps by his terrible loss we can all raise our awareness level to a survivable point. I put myself on full alert the moment I leave my home and maintain that alertness until I return at the end of each day. I have to, for my partner’s sake and my family’s sake. This video only re-enforces my need to do so. Thank you again and you have my full support in the matter.

Hal N.

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110. Doc,

Amen Brother.  You are doing the right thing in the right way.

There will always be idiots.  There always have been!

Harry A.

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Entry Filed under: Dr. Ignatius Piazza,Front Sight,Gun Training,Handgun Training,Monday Blog Posts,Rifle Training,second amendment,Self Defense.

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