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Never underestimate the power of a woman – especially one with wicked firearm skills and a reputation for not shying away from danger. The shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, last week which left 13 dead and at least 29 injured might have been even more deadly if not for a 34-year-old mother of two who took down alleged gunman Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan.Civilian police officer Kimberly Munley continued shooting even after being hit twice in the legs and once in the arm. The Christian Science Monitor reported that Munley had participated in "intensive active-shooter training" developed in response to the Virginia Tech shootings, in which first responders don't wait for backup, but rather "move to the target and eliminate the shooter."
Fort Hood's Special Reaction Team had practiced the new protocol, which requires a combination of courage and skill, for at least a year before the shootings last Thursday.
On the Job and on the Table
Munley proved tough in the operating room last week as well, where doctors say she lost so much blood that they feared she might not survive. She came through the surgery well and asked first about the condition of others when she awoke.
Pictures of Munley that appeared in the media following the shooting introduced the country to a pretty, petite blond who looked like she might weigh 120 lbs. soaking wet. If there were ever a perfect example of not judging a book by its cover, she's it.
"Tough Cookie"
Those who knew Carolina Beach, N.C., native Munley were not surprised by her act of bravery, though. She earned the name "Mighty Mouse" while working for the Wrightsville Beach police department when she came to the aid of fellow officer Shaun Appler, who had been tackled to the ground by a violent suspect. Appler said Munley, who was never afraid to "get in the middle of things," just "launched on the back of this guy" and helped to subdue him.
Those who have known her for years say she was born to be a police officer, describing her as a "tough cookie" and "pretty much fearless."
A NY Daily News report quoted friend Drew Peterson: "She's the happiest, sweetest, most fun-loving girl you'd ever want to be friends with -- and never want to cross."
It's hard to imagine a better compliment than that one, or a better representative of the powerful women working in every field today.
Lorie Byrd has been political blogging since 2004. Read more from her at Wizbangblog, Townhall.com and AmericanIssuesProject.org.
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Saturday 14 November
By tiggermtd
Wasn't it proven that Senior Sgt. Mark Todd was the one who took Major Hasan down?
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Monday 16 November
By H Malette Poole
Sgt Munley and Todd both arrived, with Munley a bit ahead. She came out of the car shooting and took four shots as well as wounding the shooter. Todd finished him off. He was concentrating on Munley, not Todd, who is a MUCH bigger target.
Do you have a problem with this woman, who damn near died, having a bit of credit for her bravery and guts? No one is trying to make Senior Sgt Todd's contribution any less, are they?
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Sunday 10 January
By Jeff
Congrats to her for wounding the guy. Personally, I'd like to know some specs on the whole thing. How far away were they when he shot her, and her him? Just that kind of stuff in general.
Four things.
1. He shot her 4 times before she got him? Where is that advanced training?
2. I'm glad that finally the normal police officers are going in, instead of waiting 30 minutes for SWAT...
3. She's not just tough, she's damn lucky. Natural selection says she should be dead; but I guess Murphy likes her.
4. Poole... I'm sure that some people love her bravery and guts. Like the guy at Fort Hood. He's probably loved them on the floor. Here's a quote: "Uneducated Courage is no match for tutoured bullets". Something happened a few months ago where a kid shot his dad and then ran into the tree line. Three officers arrived on the scene and decided to march into the tree line. all three were shot at, two of them were injured and one died. People celebrated their bravery. I say the other two should have died as well. They marched across an OPEN FIELD towards the tree line. Instead of dying, they were promoted. For what? bravery? bah. Stupidity. -shrugs-
I'm not saying senior sgt. mark todd is any better. I'm saying that our law enforcement should recieve better training, and should be allowed to carry rifles in their vehicles.