TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

The Aftermath Of A Shootout

ADVERTISEMENT

By ROD REDER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 14, 2008

On June 7 I worked in the yard, went out to dinner and watched the Rays win again. I completely avoided any TV and Internet news.

The next day, at the convenience store, I saw Tribune headlines on the triple homicide in Tampa and shootout with the killer, Jorge Orlando Bello Garcia. My stomach turned as I saw that deputies Art Lence and Ray Wilson had been shot.

Then I couldn't get enough information fast enough. With federal HIPAA laws, the media can't be told much by the sheriff's office about the condition of the wounded. So I began making phone calls to former fellow officers. Whew. I was greatly relieved to know both will recover, for the most part.

You see, when a law enforcement officer is shot or injured severely, the media does a pretty good job covering it and with much understanding and sympathy. What the public and the media don't see is the aftermath.

Deputy Lence got it the worst. Being shot in the lower torso means one really bad thing: intestine damage. It usually means more surgeries, possible infection and a long recovery.

I was never shot during my 29 years at the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office; shot at several times, but never hit. I have over the years spoken to many colleagues who were shot in the line of duty. What they will tell you is, imagine the worst pain you've ever had and then multiply it by 10.

For the over-40 crowd, remember when Sonny Crockett would get shot on "Miami Vice," then an hour later be hosting several ladies at the nightclub in South Beach, dancing the night away? Not so in the violent real world. It takes time to recover from being shot, physically and mentally.

Both deputies have many years of experience, and both had never been injured this severely. I've known both a long time and worked closely with them up until my retirement. Both are extremely competent, professional and dedicated officers. Neither has ever caused a supervisor a moment of trouble, and both love doing their job. Neither ever asked for anything, either. They will both be awarded the prestigious Silver Cross at a future sheriff's recognition ceremony.

Another receiving an award will be Deputy Malachi McCoy, my new hero. After Art went down, and when Ray was shot and sought cover in a ditch, the killer attacked Ray.

Instead of hesitating, freezing up or firing from a safe position, Deputy McCoy ran to Garcia and ended the shootout. Unless you've been there, done that, it's hard to tell you what fortitude that took. A thousand thanks to Malachi. You will be forever known in sheriff's office history as a warrior, as will Art and Ray for their heroic actions.

The Lynn Sowers Memorial Foundation Inc. is a nonprofit corporation founded to financially aid all Hillsborough Sheriff's Office employees in times of catastrophic crisis. To date, it has raised and given out more than $1 million.

I don't know if Ray or Art will ever need access to any funds, but there are always plenty of employees who are in financial need due to unforeseen catastrophic events in their lives. Please consider sending a small donation to the Lynn Sowers Foundation in Art and Ray's honor, just to let these guys know the community cares.

Any donation can be sent to Debbie Carter, president, P.O. Box 270441, Tampa, 33688.

Get well, Art and Ray. Thanks, Malachi.

Rod Reder is a retired sheriff's captain and owner of Reder Investigations & Security Consulting. He lives in Lutz.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT