Police officer caught in gun ambush, still managed to remain calm

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http://www.policeone.com/Officer-Safety/articles/5841175-Hero-Slow-down-my-wounds-arent-life-threatening/

with Doug Wyllie, PoliceOne Editor in Chief

At approximately 2300 hours on Sunday, May 6th 2012, California Highway Patrol Officer David “Ryan” Bunting, who was in his patrol vehicle, stopped beside the road on California Highway 178 near Bakersfield.

According to reports, a dark-colored SUV subsequently passed him headed westbound, executed a U-turn, and came back, driving the wrong way up the one-way road.

A gunman in the back seat on driver’s side then opened fire with what is believed to be an automatic handgun.

Ambush!

Despite being twice struck by gunfire — once to the hand and once to his body armor — Officer Ryan Bunting returned fire on his assailants as they sped away in their vehicle. He then attempted to pursue the fleeing SUV before his bullet-riddled squad was disabled, but not before he is believed to put at least one — perhaps more than one — round into the gunman.


In addition to his Herculean effort to fight back and to apprehend his attackers, perhaps the most remarkable thing about Bunting’s heroism that night is his radio work.

At one point he radioed: “Tell units to slow down... my... uh... one of the shots went into my vest, one into my hand... neither are life threatening.”

Listen to his radio exchange with dispatch:


There is no way of knowing the lives he may have saved with that one simple sentence.

Officer Bunting was the recipient of the Medal of Valor during an event held by the Kern County Law Enforcement Foundation recently.

Detective Sergeant Ken Impellizeri of the San Diego Police Department had this to say, “Officer Bunting took appropriate action by returning fire and attempting to chase the vehicle until his patrol vehicle became inoperable”.

Impellizeri added, “Officer Bunting did an incredible job giving a description of the suspects and their vehicle. He also had the presence of mind to give an assessment of his injuries and to direct other officers to slow down.”

Another person observed, “Listen to how the officer remains calm in his radio transmissions, even after being shot and returning fire. Outstanding job. His calm attitude helps to meter the response of other units and doesn’t spool them up and make them drive too fast to his aid.”

“The Communications Operator was also outstanding for her ability to get it done in a business like manner,” said yet another person.

The transmission, “Tell units to slow down...” was the first, but not the only thing to consider as “learning points”.

First off, he was wearing his vest!

It may have saved his life.

What else do we hear?

Controlled breathing.

It may have given him the wherewithal to speak so clearly.

We hear vivid descriptions of the suspect vehicle and its occupants.

We hear so much more... But I’ve chosen to focus in on just one thing.

So, let me ask you to concentrate on one thing. I would much prefer if you concentrated on all five, but for now, at the very minimum, choose one thing from the list below – and commit to making it your thing.

That one thing you’ve seen in your department which has unnecessarily put your officers at risk. That one thing which you evangelize (and leading by example, do!) on a daily basis to help lower the number of officer fatalities everywhere.

• Wear your belt
• Wear your vest
• Watch your speed
• Think WIN: What’s Important Now?
• Remember: Complacency Kills!

Policing is an inherently dangerous business. Gunfights happen. Pursuits happen.

Ambush, quite clearly from the above audio tape and picture images, happen. But they don’t always have to be deadly.