5-4

Great day! Drove awesome and shot awesome! Ran the ROC with full emergency equipment which was great! 

Shot a 230/250 today.

Night driving tonight 

It's pouring rain though so this should get interesting 

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5-3

Another good day at SCCJA. Drove the full ROC at slow speed today. Did very well on it.

Then shot this afternoon. Ended up 46/50, 49/50 and 23/25. Trooper working with me told me I had nothing to worry about. It was a very good day and put me more at ease about both tests! 

Heading out at 2030 tonight for night shooting...should be fun! Both RHPD Sgt told me to relax that I was doing fine today so that helped as well. 

Waiting on pizza now before we head back out. It's been VERY HOT this week! 

"The Lord bless you and keep you;

25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26. 

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5-2

Another good day at the SCCJA.

Drove this morning...did part of the Response Operating Course (ROC) which is designed to simulate driving Code 3 (blue lights and sirens). We did part of the precision part: slalom forward and reverse and then backing up in a straight line. After that we did the skid pad...which is some of the most fun I've ever had driving a car. My instructor is a traffic deputy for Lexington Co and was VERY disappointed he did not get me to spin out and that I saved it every time...he tried his hardest but couldn't make it happen...I was quite proud.

I was not proud of how I shot. Today I shot: 44/50, 46/50, and 23/25. I was low and left every time. The 2 firearms instructors from RHPD came down to work with me today and I over thought it trying to make sure I did well in front of them and in turn did not shoot too well.

We had a night class on Joint Terrorism Response which was actually pretty interesting overall.


Sgt was able to give me a lot of good help so hopefully tomorrow will be a better day at the pistol range. Driving we are running the whole ROC slowly 2x. Should be a good day

So far this is hands down the fastest week at SCCJA

"You must take your place in the Circle of Life" - Mufasa

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5-1

What a great day!

Woke up at 5:30 (not so great especially after not sleeping well). Had driving first thing this morning. We did braking exercises without ABS. I MURDERED some cones but by the end I got it down and had a perfect run. Our instructor was pretty cool for it and we had a ton of fun.

After lunch we had shooting. It was REALLY REALLY hot but a lot of fun. 2 of our Sgts are here as firearms instructors so that is helping seeing some familiar faces for once. Shot 49/50, 48/50 and 25/25.

Pretty good day.

It is good to finally have applicable stuff. More LEOs are killed each year in traffic accidents or firearm related incidents so it's good to actually have stuff that will help us out and keep us safe.

Headed to bed pretty soon, I'm exhausted and have to do it all over again tomorrow.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9

4-5

Finally the weekend! Got a 94 on the test thanks for all the prayers! Had driving and shooting orientation. Next week should be decently fun with shooting and driving.   

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4-4

Finished up PT for good at the SCCJA today! Did knife defense again in DT.

Did evidence class this afternoon...supposedly our hardest test is tomorrow so prayers are appreciated.

Over all a good day. Ordering dinner and then going to study and hopefully get to bed early!

"Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me
Oh Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You"

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4-3

Decent today at SCCJA. Had PT/DT this morning. Did not get much sleep last night so I have been dragging all day...drink machine finally restocked Diet Dew so I'm feeling a bit more awake.

Had class on Crime Scene and Physical Evidence...a lot of which I had in a lecture at USC from the same teacher and from my previous internship. Have a hands on portion of Crime Scene tonight.

Going to study after class and then sleep hopefully early tonight. If we can get through tomorrow and then the test on Friday we should be good.

“Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary, praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” Psalm 150:1-2,6

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4-2

Been a decent day...long overall though. Started with PT this morning then did vehicle extractions for DT.

Had class on Miranda after lunch.

Prayers appreciated. Getting stressed/frustrated and those of you that know me well know that is not a good thing.

"Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose" - Friday Night Lights

4-1

Today started with PT...can tell we are all getting in better shape...less huffing and puffing afterwards. Then had DT...did more weapon retention.

Had class on Interrogation today. It was a really good class with a fantastic instructor who really seemed to care about us and viewed us as brothers and sisters as opposed to students.

Overall decent day. Unfortunately we lost one yesterday retaking the PAT.

Freshman class is here. Two guys from RH...haven't spoken to them today but last night they were all good.

"Hallelujah all I have is Christ. Hallelujah Jesus is my life"

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3-5

Whoohoo! Time for a weekend! 

Feels good to be back home. No test today. We did a whole day doing a FEMA course on Terrorism. We are not tested on the material but we were able to learn quite a lot of valuable information. Also were given a lot of free books that will greatly enhance my Law Enforcement experience. 

A nice quote stolen from a tweet by my good friend Mjr TJ Geary with USCPD: "Each of us must be committed to maintaining the reputation of all of us. All of us must be committed to maintaining the reputation of each of us." 

Law enforcement is without a doubt a family and each of us as an individual impacts the reputation of that family across the world. We must stay vigilant in making sure that is a positive reputation. 

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3-4

Had class all day. Learned about specific crimes.

We get to move down to the third floor tonight!! Then study and bed!

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3-3

Well well well...the day has FINALLY come and gone. OC (Pepper) Spray is FINALLY completed...kinda. I have some time so I'll try to fill you in.

Started the morning out very well. I went to bed at 8:45 last night so I got a great night's sleep (planning the same for tonight). Then we went down for OC. Basically lined up and got to it. We were lined up by spray type. Jesse and I had 10% (The most potent you can legally use as a LEO) Foam spray. That means it sticks longer and burns more but is easier to decontaminate (decon). After a bit of a wait we went out and lined up. The we went up and were asked a couple questions. Told to close our eyes and hold our breath. Then they sprayed us. We had to punch a strike bag a couple times and were escorted to Decon 1. The burn kicked in right between the bag and Decon. Now when I say burn...it is like nothing you have ever experienced. It's made of Cheyenne pepper. It was BAD...not taser bad but it was BAD. We then had to sit and let water run in our face and pat our face/blow our nose over and over into a rag and wash our face over and over with Dawn. At this point anytime the water was not touching your face it felt like you were standing in a fire...and that is not an exaggeration. Stayed there about 10 min. We could not leave Decon 1 until we could open our eyes and count the fingers of the person doing our Decon. Finally was able to do that and led over to Decon 2. This was a large fan and we were given ice bags. By this point I had no problem opening my eyes but the burn was seriously unbearable unless the ice and fan were blowing. Stayed there 10-15 min as well until I could sprint upstairs to the showers. Insert a special thank you to Capt Phillips of the West Columbia Police Dept for all the help in Decon 2!! Went upstairs and immediately threw away my shirt that was covered in OC. Stuck my head in the shower and began washing over and over. Eventually the burn subsided enough to change and get back downstairs. Ended up with OC all over my face and ears, arms, and legs due to the foam falling. Took about 1 hour to 1.5 hours for all the burn to finally subside.

Then we had classroom on OC and then our proficiency test for OC. Passed it.

Took a shower a few min ago and my ears and legs reactivated so I am burning pretty bad right now...should subside soon.

We have liberty tonight so I am going to eat with Adam Jackson...at Chili's (note the irony).

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" -Philippians 4:13

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3-2

Passed written DT test with a 92 and no critiques on my practical (equal to a 100). Very long and stressful day...hoping to get to bed early.

OC (Pepper) Spray tomorrow. Should be fun!!

Going to bed early tonight!

Behold my servant, whom I uphold;
My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. Isaiah 42:1 (Thanks Clara!!)

3-1

Day 1 of week 3 in the bag. Went by pretty quickly. Reviewed everything that will be on our DT test tomorrow (written in the AM and then practical). Lots of prayers appreciated!! 

"6 do not be anxious about anything,but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:6-7 (Thanks Taylor for sending a small part of Ernest's message from Belize!!) 

WPC

As I sit back in the room at the SCCJA I wanted to take a minute to talk about something a little different than that Police Academy.

I have been thinking all day about the message Dr Honeycutt gave today at Westminster Presbyterian Church. As many of you know his message really hit home with me today. It is so refreshing to hear a pastor speak so openly and honestly about a struggle you have dealt with and know the ins and outs of. Dr Honeycutt is truly a blessed man and has an amazing way to take the ins and outs of the Gospel and hit them home and make them apply to your life. My time at the SCCJA has been very difficult but today's message was exactly what I needed right when I needed it. Knowing that Godly men like David, Moses, and Elijah all suffered as well as great pastors like Spurgeon and Honeycutt really puts life in perspective and makes it easier to get through this time. 

I have had many great family members and friends stand with me through these struggles. It has been trying but some great people have truly helped me through this. I love each of you and thank you.

I cannot express how much I love WPC and everyone there. Walking into the church today and having people tell me they are praying for me and have been reading this blog was very uplifting and motivational and gave me the power to move forward for another week. Today I did not dread coming back...I somewhat looked forward to it. Knowing that so many people are supporting me, praying for me, and standing behind me was amazing! Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

The texts, comments, messages, etc are all so very welcomed and appreciated. I am doing the best I can to reply to each of them. I love you all dearly and you all have truly blessed me.

Thank you all again. 

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 "8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

2-5

Finally home after week 2 at SCCJA. 

Another pretty good day today. Had Legals Test 2 this morning. Was able to pull out a 100 on it. Study Group averaged a 94 again...well done team! 

After we had class time and learned about report writing.

After lunch we had DT. Did Baton Strikes. RHPD does not carry batons but it was still fun smaking people (with pads) with sticks! 

My entire body is sore and I'm exhausted. Looking forward to this much needed weekend! 

Some of you have probably been expecting a Lion King quote at some point so this week gets #1...I'm sure many more will follow but this sums up how I'm feeling. 

"Hakuna Matata" - Timon and Pumba from Walt Disney's "The Lion King"

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2-4

Absolutely phenomenal day at The SCCJA today! Hands down without a doubt our best day so far.

We all were expecting a terrible day but it turns out an entire day of DT is great! This being said even if we were punished with pushups.

Started out the morning with a minimal stretching routine for PT. Then jumped right in to DT. Learned the shoulder pin restraint.

After lunch it was straight back to the gym for more DT (some people lined up late so insert those pushups here). Learned about striking today. Learned neck strikes, strikes to keep subjects away from us, knee strikes, angle kicks to the thigh, and kicks to the lower leg at the foot. All were done with full pads so we really got to get into it.

At the end we all lined up and went around the gym hitting each other (Think of how riot control looks with their shields and that is what we looked like). That was by far the most fun part.

Now getting Seal Team 7 Study Group together after we order pizza and hang out a bit.

Test tomorrow includes, 1st Amendment, Ethics in LE, Courts and Courtroom Procedure, and 3 days worth of Searches (including search warrants and their exceptions.

Feeling pretty confident about the test tomorrow. Gonna start looking over DT stuff this weekend. Proficiency Test and written test for it is Tue. Uncle Steve has volunteered to be a test dummy...good luck!

"Stay in the fight! Whenever times seem tough or you feel like you can't go on stay in the fight. You got this." - Jake McCoy (USCPD). Thanks for the encouragement Jake! 

2-3

Today was pleasantly decent 

Had our final class on Searches this morning and learned about Search Warrants. 

Had PT (actually we didn't they gave us an unexpected break...my muscles over my entire body love them). Then DT. Learned how to keep people from taking our weapon and how to disarm people with a weapon by going hands on. 

Had class tonight and practiced writing a warrant.

Now to study! 

Tomorrow we wake up and immediately have PT and will have DT all day! Should be extremely long and painful...learning about striking people. 

Prayers appreciated. 

"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude." -Thomas Jefferson (thanks mom!) 

"Relying on God has to begin all over again everyday as if nothing get had been done." -C.S. Lewis (thanks Hunter D! Helping me keep going on quiet times when sleep tries to sneak in!) 

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2-2

Well today started out on a great note. 2 people were late for formation so we had to hold the "up push up position" for about 2 min give or take...not the best way to start the day...especially after getting threatened with extra PT yesterday. Time for our class to "lock it up" as Off Roberts keeps saying.

Class this morning was on exceptions to the search warrant requirement...such as searching vehicles, public areas, incident to arrest, etc etc. 

Lunch was decent...fried chicken and dinner was beef stew...not so decent.

Had VERY HARD PT after lunch. We all are exhausted and very sore. After PT was DT. We did pressure points...NOT FUN AT ALL. 

Went to supplemental DT this evening and went over everything again. Anyone willing to volunteer as a test dummy this weekend???

Tomorrow is when and how to get a search warrant...then more PT/DT.

Please keep praying...it's been a long week already and people are getting touchy about stuff...especially if it means whole class punishment. 

"Obstacles are those fruitful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal" - Henry Ford (Thanks Hailey)

Quotes and verses...keep 'em coming.

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2-1

We are back! Now 11 weeks without a break! It hasn't been an easy transition back. Did not sleep at all last night and up at 5:30 this morning. 

Class consisted of Searches. We learned the different times we can and cannot search based on location. 

DT today consisted of joint manipulation. Basically how to take someone to the ground through pain compliance of locking out elbows and shoulders etc. 

Also started PT today. Did push-ups, sit-ups, and squats (air squats) after a 12:00 min. Overall not bad

Tomorrow we are getting in trouble most likey push-ups at some point for talking on the food line...kinda pissed about that. 

Very much ready for Sept 19 at 10:00 AM. 

"The beloved of the LORD dwells in safety. The High God surrounds him all day long, and dwells between his shoulders." Deuteronomy 33:12 (Thanks Clara Gilles!!) 

Keep the quotes and verses coming!! They really help! 

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