Preacherman
Member
From the CA Press-Democrat (http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051213/NEWS/512130303/1033/NEWS01):
Quick move likely saved deputy's life
Officer, a defensive-tactics teacher, grabbed cylinder of revolver pointed at him, then shot and killed suspect
By MARTIN ESPINOZA
THE PRESS Democrat
Published: Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005
In a scene straight out of a crime novel, law enforcement officials say Sonoma County Sheriff's Deputy Jon Watson used a lightning-quick move and simple physics to jam a revolver that was pointed at his belly.
Watson, a defensive-tactics instructor for the Sheriff's Department, probably saved his life when he stopped the cylinder of a loaded revolver and then pulled his own gun, shooting and killing a 42-year-old convicted felon Saturday.
Police identified the dead man as James Richard Nace, a wanted parolee who was about to be arrested after deputies discovered he was in possession of several pounds of marijuana. Police said Nace, a Mendocino County resident, had been out of contact with his parole officer for more than a year.
A preliminary autopsy conducted Monday found Nace died of a single gunshot wound to the upper left chest. Other findings included bruises on his arms and shins "consistent with struggle injuries," the report said.
In recounting the shooting, authorities said officers like Watson know that if you stop the cylinder of a revolver from turning, the gun's hammer will not find a loaded chamber.
Officials said the move gave Watson enough time to get off a round of his own, using his .40-caliber handgun.
"Because of the cylinder's diameter, you can exert more force on the (firing) mechanism than by pulling the trigger," Sheriff's Lt. Roger Rude said. "If the cylinder can't rotate, then pulling the trigger isn't going to fire the gun."
Rude said Watson teaches defensive tactics at the Santa Rosa Junior College's Public Safety Training Center in Windsor.
"Jon is extremely proficient in his training," Rude said. "But even with someone that is proficient in his training, there has to be an element of luck as well."
The incident began at about 4:40 p.m. Saturday when Deputy Dave Iverson approached Nace and Gloria Jean Bunyon, 38, also of Mendocino County, who were in a Blue Toyota 4-Runner stopped in an area known to authorities for a history of drug activity.
Authorities said Nace and Bunyon, who also had two pit bulls in the SUV, repeatedly gave misleading information about their identities.
After questioning Nace and Bunyon and learning they had several pounds of marijuana, Iverson called for help. Officials said the suspects claimed the marijuana was for medical use.
Officials said Watson arrived with a drug-sniffing dog at 6:17 p.m., and a couple of minutes after Watson began talking with Nace the suspect drew a loaded .38 caliber, double-action revolver and shoved the barrel under Watson's bulletproof vest.
Sheriff's officials said Watson grabbed the revolver as he twisted his body out of the way, drawing his own gun and firing. Bunyon unleashed the pit bulls and one of them attacked, officials said. Watson and Iverson shot at the attacking pit bull, killing it.
Rude said even with Watson's training, the outcome Saturday might have been different if the gun used by Nace wasn't a revolver.
Authorities haven't said whether Nace had been searched before his encounter with Watson.
Deputies receive firearms training, including defensive tactics, every quarter throughout the duration of their careers. In addition, Rude said, deputies go through annual updated law enforcement training, including firearms and defensive tactics.
Rude declined to give further details about the specific defensive tactics used by deputies for fear that "bad guys" would use such information against officers.
He said criminals constantly are updating methods for engaging police and prison often serves as a training ground. The placement of the revolver under Watson's bulletproof vest is the kind of tactic used by criminals who have received such training, he said.
In 2002, Nace was sentenced to five years in prison for possession of controlled substance for sale, Rude said.
He said Nace has five felony and four misdemeanor convictions, including exhibiting a deadly weapon, burglary, assault on a peace officer, assaults with a deadly weapon, possession of controlled substances and possession for sale.
Following interagency protocol for officer-involved shootings, the investigation is being conducted by the Rohnert Park Public Safety Department and the District Attorney's Office.
Rohnert Park Lt. Jeff Taylor said Bunyon has been booked on suspicion of possession of marijuana for sale, transportation of marijuana and aiding and abetting a known felon.
It was the fifth officer-involved shooting in the county in the past 18 months, including two others that involved deputies.
"One of the things that's a concern to us is the frequency that we are encountering people with handguns," Rude said. "There's a change going on, and it's very disconcerting."
Quick move likely saved deputy's life
Officer, a defensive-tactics teacher, grabbed cylinder of revolver pointed at him, then shot and killed suspect
By MARTIN ESPINOZA
THE PRESS Democrat
Published: Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005
In a scene straight out of a crime novel, law enforcement officials say Sonoma County Sheriff's Deputy Jon Watson used a lightning-quick move and simple physics to jam a revolver that was pointed at his belly.
Watson, a defensive-tactics instructor for the Sheriff's Department, probably saved his life when he stopped the cylinder of a loaded revolver and then pulled his own gun, shooting and killing a 42-year-old convicted felon Saturday.
Police identified the dead man as James Richard Nace, a wanted parolee who was about to be arrested after deputies discovered he was in possession of several pounds of marijuana. Police said Nace, a Mendocino County resident, had been out of contact with his parole officer for more than a year.
A preliminary autopsy conducted Monday found Nace died of a single gunshot wound to the upper left chest. Other findings included bruises on his arms and shins "consistent with struggle injuries," the report said.
In recounting the shooting, authorities said officers like Watson know that if you stop the cylinder of a revolver from turning, the gun's hammer will not find a loaded chamber.
Officials said the move gave Watson enough time to get off a round of his own, using his .40-caliber handgun.
"Because of the cylinder's diameter, you can exert more force on the (firing) mechanism than by pulling the trigger," Sheriff's Lt. Roger Rude said. "If the cylinder can't rotate, then pulling the trigger isn't going to fire the gun."
Rude said Watson teaches defensive tactics at the Santa Rosa Junior College's Public Safety Training Center in Windsor.
"Jon is extremely proficient in his training," Rude said. "But even with someone that is proficient in his training, there has to be an element of luck as well."
The incident began at about 4:40 p.m. Saturday when Deputy Dave Iverson approached Nace and Gloria Jean Bunyon, 38, also of Mendocino County, who were in a Blue Toyota 4-Runner stopped in an area known to authorities for a history of drug activity.
Authorities said Nace and Bunyon, who also had two pit bulls in the SUV, repeatedly gave misleading information about their identities.
After questioning Nace and Bunyon and learning they had several pounds of marijuana, Iverson called for help. Officials said the suspects claimed the marijuana was for medical use.
Officials said Watson arrived with a drug-sniffing dog at 6:17 p.m., and a couple of minutes after Watson began talking with Nace the suspect drew a loaded .38 caliber, double-action revolver and shoved the barrel under Watson's bulletproof vest.
Sheriff's officials said Watson grabbed the revolver as he twisted his body out of the way, drawing his own gun and firing. Bunyon unleashed the pit bulls and one of them attacked, officials said. Watson and Iverson shot at the attacking pit bull, killing it.
Rude said even with Watson's training, the outcome Saturday might have been different if the gun used by Nace wasn't a revolver.
Authorities haven't said whether Nace had been searched before his encounter with Watson.
Deputies receive firearms training, including defensive tactics, every quarter throughout the duration of their careers. In addition, Rude said, deputies go through annual updated law enforcement training, including firearms and defensive tactics.
Rude declined to give further details about the specific defensive tactics used by deputies for fear that "bad guys" would use such information against officers.
He said criminals constantly are updating methods for engaging police and prison often serves as a training ground. The placement of the revolver under Watson's bulletproof vest is the kind of tactic used by criminals who have received such training, he said.
In 2002, Nace was sentenced to five years in prison for possession of controlled substance for sale, Rude said.
He said Nace has five felony and four misdemeanor convictions, including exhibiting a deadly weapon, burglary, assault on a peace officer, assaults with a deadly weapon, possession of controlled substances and possession for sale.
Following interagency protocol for officer-involved shootings, the investigation is being conducted by the Rohnert Park Public Safety Department and the District Attorney's Office.
Rohnert Park Lt. Jeff Taylor said Bunyon has been booked on suspicion of possession of marijuana for sale, transportation of marijuana and aiding and abetting a known felon.
It was the fifth officer-involved shooting in the county in the past 18 months, including two others that involved deputies.
"One of the things that's a concern to us is the frequency that we are encountering people with handguns," Rude said. "There's a change going on, and it's very disconcerting."
Nice move.
