A good man, good cop, and a good friend died today.Buena Park Police Officer Daniel Ackerman died today after going down during a physical training session Friday morning.No one knows why, or what happened to him yet.He was a SWAT officer and in exceptional shape.
I met Dan during high school when we were both police explores.We then went to the police academy together.He was hired as a cop and I was activated as a Marine.Over the years we stayed great friends.We spent endless hours in the gym and on the range training together.
The world is a lesser place for his passing.I ask that everyone say a little prayer for him and his family.
Sunday morning I play bass in the Revolution Church band and have to arrive at 5 am.So I leave the house about 415.There is normally no one at the gas station that I stop at to get a drink and a donut.For some reason a couple Sundays ago there were four plus me.A couple that looked like they were just coming home from the club, a man that just came and went to pay for gas, and one more.
I went to the back freezer to get a Monster and a donut then started to come back when the last man walked into the store.White, medium build, medium hight, gang and prison tattoos all over, shorts falling down and a t-shirt three sizes to big.He entered the store and stood in the doorway for a couple seconds looking around.Not for something, but at the people in the store.He had that scared predatory look I have seen overseas on bad people right before they were going to do bad things.
He turned and walked to the counter and I followed behind him in line.I couldn’t see a gun or anything in his shorts but the right side was hanging further down then the rest and he was holding them up.
Oh CRAP! God please don’t let him do this, my silent preyer as I walked up behind him.And the Oh CRAP! my gun is in the truck.And then oh CRAP one more time, because there was no way out of the store without walking in front of him.Even the emergency exit was behind the counter.
I put my Monster down and prepared.I was going to draw my knife with my left hand and perry his gun hand with my right, rip the knife across his throat and then stab deep into the larynx just like I was taught in the Marine Corps.
He stood looking at the attendant for a good 5 seconds (that seemed longer).Then, something changed in his posture and demeanor.I could tell he changed his mind.He simply bought some smokes and left.I said a little thanks to the Lord and left glad that nothing happened.
