Time To See What Your Made Of

    11:30 PM Sept … Call comes into base, 33 Charlie (Roxbury Dorchester car) requesting Silver (SGT.) unit at Columbia Road and Essex possible stolen car … Base to Silver? … Silver here, I got it and on my way 10-8 (in service). On arrival Officer Danny Ring informs me he was stopped by a passing motorist and informed that people were stripping a car behind the house at 38 Essex St, on further investigation 4 to 5 subjects ran into the house as Officer’s Ring, Spillane and Furlo approached. I advised base to contact 911 (Boston Police) and informed them of the situation … I advised my officers to stand by on the sidewalk because we lacked jurisdiction. I walked back to my vehicle, which was parked around the corner on Columbia Rd. While waiting for 911 and writing my report in my vehicle I heard tires screeching and a loud commotion. I exited my vehicle and radioed Officer Ring, “Danny! What’s going on? ” No response … suddenly a gun shot, BANG! … DANNY! WHAT THE F@#$ GOING ON! Still no response … SILVER TO BASE OFFICER IN TROUBLE, SHOTS FIRED, REPEAT, SHOTS FIRED…. Base Radio ~ ALL UNITS, ALL UNITS RESPOND TO COLUMBIA ROAD AND ESSEX, OFFICER IN TROUBLE, SHOTS FIRED. As I was running up the center of the street I observed the stolen vehicle backing out of the driveway at a high rate of speed. Officer Ring was lying on the ground. I then withdrew my revolver, cocking the hammer back; cocking the hammer back on a gun allows 3 pounds of pressure to pull the trigger as opposed to 10 pounds when the hammer isn't cocked back. The car has since shifted into forward and is coming right at me. I crouch down into a combat stance, two hands on my weapon, weapon and arms extended straight out about face high, knees slightly bent, just like they taught us in the Academy. I kept thinking about an old TV Show called the Mod Squad. I remember the beginning of the show; the three main characters were trying to get away from a pick-up truck that was coming right towards them. I was remembering how Pete jumped on the hood and I was thinking that I'm going to get one shot at getting my foot on the bumper of that car and trying to push off hard enough to get some air, otherwise I was going under the car. All the while I never thought about getting out of the way, this SOB had run down and officer under my command, and Danny was much more than someone I just worked with, he was a friend, one of the good guys. Ten more feet and,……….. Suddenly the car screeches to a halt. The thought was ten more feet and he gets all six (bullets) in the head but for now the car has stopped. I'm standing in the middle of the street with my gun aimed right at the driver. The car starts to move it’s creeping towards me. The kids trying to cut a deal here. I imagine they just want to get the stolen car off the person’s property so the parents who own the house don't get charged with anything, just a thought but because of my background I can almost sympathize with him. I look over to see Danny standing up and brushing himself off. I take two side steps to the right all the while my gun is still aimed at the drivers head. The car creeps slowly by and once it’s passed me the driver floors it. 33 Silver to base? Put out an APB (All Points Bulletin) on a white Chevy impala, lic.# etc. I can hear the sirens off in the distance, then suddenly blue lights from every where. Say what you want about Boston’s Finest but when you’re on their side there’s nobody tougher, I counted no less than 15 cars from Boston districts, 6 cars of my own department (including the Tow Lot and BMIP Navy Base) 2 Ambulance and a TV News Crew. The Lieutenant from Boston pulls me aside and tells me to instruct my men not to speak with any of the news crew. I walk over to the ambulance and the side door is open, the medic is working on Danny’s hand. There’s a reporter there and he ask Danny and the medic a question they both look at me and I give them a quick shake of the head, the reporter looks at me and says, “Sargent, ever hear of freedom of the press”? I just stare at him and wonder if he has any clue what it’s like to be put into the position that my men and me were put in tonight, F him and F his news cast. Anyway, to let you in on what had happened, obviously someone jumped back into the car and Danny heard the car start. He was running down the driveway as the car was backing out. The car sandwiched him between the side of the vehicle and an 8-foot high chain link fence. While Danny was being spun around he drew his weapon, smashed the driver side window and fired a shot. Funny thing is when the car passed me, no more than inches away from my gun barrel and at a slow rate of speed, the driver’s window was up, intact, and coated with that black shit so you can't see inside. I know Danny’s telling the truth because there’s shattered glass all over the driveway, plus there’s still plenty the medic is removing from his hand. It’s funny how the mind plays tricks; I'm just relieved I didn't have to kill somebody’s kid tonight. Paul -