Yesterday was one of those really crazy days, where blogging, doing some consulting work, being a dad and heading up to U.S.C. to speak to a class of graduate students had me on the run.
As such, when I reflected on my "FYI" post relative to Chuck Quackenbush and being in an officer-involved-shooting in Florida, I realize that I probably did Chuck a disservice, and I really have no excuse other than being on the run.
You see, for over five years, I worked in media relations for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. And on many occasions (countless, actually) I would roll my eyes as some COPS beat reporter would pen something for their paper that seemed to paint one of our deputies in the worst possible light.
As that post said, our former Insurance Commissioner these days is a Sheriff’s Deputy in Florida’s Lee County, where is has been putting his life on the line, literally, for around three years.
From what I can gather, Deputy Quackenbush was trying to handcuff a suspected wife-beater when the suspect tried to break free. Quackenbush deployed his taser, but in a hand-to-hand fight, the suspect obtained the taser, and pointed it at Quackenbush, who pulled out his firearm and shot the suspect. The suspect is in the hospital in stable condition.
It is standard procedure for a law enforcement agency to conduct an investigation of any officer involved shooting, and for the Deputy involved to be put on paid leave of absence until the investigation is resolved. That is taking place now.
I don’t know that Chuck Quackenbush is sifting through California political blogs much, but if he gets to this one, he’ll get to read an important message from me… THANK YOU.
It takes a certain kind of person to put their life on the line to look out for the freedom and liberty of their fellow Americans.