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Opinion
Nov. 07, 2009
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

EDITORIAL: Stood her ground

Officer stops a massacre

Cops -- all types of police officers -- know they're not generally going to make the news for doing their thankless jobs the right way, day after day.

When the moment finally does come that they have to make a split-second decision, someone's likely to second-guess them.

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    • Which is why, when a police officer does something really right, someone ought to take a moment to say so.

    At the U.S. Army base at Fort Hood, Texas, an Army psychiatrist (enough irony there to fuel a few TV panels) named Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan has been identified as the man who walked into the base's soldier readiness facility Thursday, shouted "Allahu Akbar!" and opened fire with two handguns on 300 unarmed soldiers, killing 13 and wounding 30 others.

    Sgt. Kimberly Munley, 35, is an Army veteran married to a soldier at Fort Bragg, N.C. She is a member of the base's "civilian police force" -- a private contractor.

    To people at Fort Hood, she's a cop.

    Sgt. Munley appears to have been the first armed representative of law and order to walk in on Thursday's ongoing bloodbath in the auditorium.

    Sgt. Munley identified the shooter. She did not ask him to share his feelings. She opened fire.

    Sgt. Munley's boss, Chuck Medley, told The Associated Press on Friday that Hasan then spun around and charged the sergeant, a gun in each hand.

    Could Sgt. Munley, hit in the wrist and both thighs, really be blamed if she'd ducked for cover?

    She didn't. From all reports, she stood her ground under fire, calmly reacquiring her sight picture, putting four rounds right where she wanted, in the advancing murderer's center of mass. She fired until he dropped. The killing ended.

    As of Friday, though in a coma, Hasan was alive. Perhaps the Army will now get a chance to remind us how justice is supposed to work.

    As of Friday afternoon, Kileen police said Sgt. Munley, though hospitalized, was "doing fine."

    Good work, sergeant.

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    Hate bad Reporting wrote on November 13, 2009 01:13 PM: And now we know that the RJ fell for this propaganda hook,line,and sinker.

    The misinformation around this sad disaster is mind boggling, and the speed in which newspapers with no real reporters left (cough cough) regurgitate the tripe.

    The slow death of real journalism is speeding up by the day.


    kjfglkdsajfg wrote on November 13, 2009 11:20 AM: ihoesaruyfglakuyfglksaufylisakfgalskdutg


    Miles Monroe wrote on November 10, 2009 06:10 AM: I just hope she's around when I'm in trouble.


    NJ Knopp wrote on November 07, 2009 11:16 PM: Kudos and deep gratitude to Kimberly Munley for her heroism and sheer guts in the line of fire.

    How about awarding her the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her valor and selflessness in stopping the carnage at Ft. Hood.

    Time to start an email campaign to your local representative, senator, Lt. Gen. Cone at Ft. Hood, Congress, and Mr. Obama.

    The Knopp Family
    Johnson City TX


    Paul wrote on November 07, 2009 09:15 PM: There is no doubt that the American people are just about the most gullible on earth.


    Another Vet wrote on November 07, 2009 08:18 PM: God Bless you Sgt. Munley for doing your job expertly and effectively. We wish you a speedy recovery. Working with the great majority of military folks (active, reserve, guard, separated, retired) just like YOU leaves me astonished and inspired. I have been honored to lead and serve people who act decisively with appropriate motive and without malice, manifesting their expert capability under duress. You saved lives. Don't believe anyone who thinks otherwise. (Capt. USAFR)


    Ken wrote on November 07, 2009 08:12 PM: Bravo, LV Review Journal, and Brava, Ms. Munley. You are a hero in my eyes. And a half shoutout to the message board. Most of the posters were respectful and gave Munley props. I have read several blogs recently where commenters called Munley a "rent-a-cop" and said she was just doing her job no big deal. Insane - she's a hero, running towards the gunfire rather than away and taking down a perp while being shot. Let's give credit where credit's due.


    Veteran wrote on November 07, 2009 06:42 PM: I applaud Sgt. Munley's response to this terrorist's actions. It's too bad that she didn't just put 2 to the chest and one to the head. That way there wouldn't be any medical costs in caring for this scumbag who is now in a coma. Just pull the plug on him and leave it at that.


    zag4christ wrote on November 07, 2009 04:59 PM: I think when Officer Munley is fully recovered, we should send her to Washington D.C. and place her in charge of cleaning up the Congress. Peace and God Bless


    Valiente wrote on November 07, 2009 03:38 PM: Yes, Sgt. Munley did her job and in doing it was an inspiring example to us all. It is too bad the sheriff at Columbine did not react in the same manner. If he had done so, no doubt, there would have been fewer injured in that tragedy. We hire and pay police to do a job. There is little question it is a difficult one. Too often performance seems short of the mark. This time it was not. Thank you Sgt Munley.


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