#beablackburnranger2016 Tim Paynter

Commander Mike Madden, First Responder, San Bernardino

Commander Mike Madden, an administrative commander, found himself first on scene.  He rarely leaves his desk.  

It was something we train for, but you are never prepared for it.  I could hear in our dispatcher's voice, this was a real event.  We have an active shooter.  I was nearby, about a mile, just out of pure luck that I happened to pull in to the right location, just south of the building where this tragedy took place.  I was informed this was the right location and I asked for officers to respond.

We wanted to get in there and we wanted to stop any innocent people for being killed.  There was an approximate 2-minute time gap until responding officers arrived.  

There were victims obviously deceased outside the conference room.  I related that to other responding officers.  

It was unspeakable, the carnage we were seeing, are seeing, the number of people injured, and unfortunately already dead and the pure panic on the faces of those who needed to be safe.  

The officer said it was difficult to pass up people in dire need of medical aid, but it had to be done.  Until the threat had been eliminated, it was not wise for any first responder to help victims until the threat was minimized.

The officer did not know Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik had committed unspeakable acts and was now running.

The officer continued:

Probably 50 people responded past us and out the doors.  I was very glad to see in a very short period of time there were other responders.  We were able to form tactical teams.  I was able to fall back in a supervisory role.

We absolutely believe there was another shooter.  We were getting information from multiple callers.  We were not sure how many shooters we had.  We were told 2 shooters may have left in a black vehicle but there was the smell of fresh gun powder and we were told there might be more shooters.

It was a little surreal.  Yet, I did the job I was supposed to do.  People don't call the police because they are having a good day, they call because there is a tragedy.  

How did you calm people down?  "You have to be clear in your orders.  The initial 50 people did not want to come to us.  That heightened my fear the suspects may have been in the hallway holding them hostage.  We can't panic in these situations.  A few started coming and then all came.

It was extremely loud.  There were fire alarms going off.  The moans and wails...and the sprinkler system was going off at the same time.

Our team did not find any explosive devices.  There was a Christmas tree in there.  All of the tables were decorated for a holiday party.  It was so senseless.

I have tried to make a point with the officers I knew who were in with us, it was truly overwhelming to see all the agencies that got here.  No one hesitated.  They knew what their job was, to bring a little calm.  I think we will all work through this (the trauma) together.

We have taken a lot of hits lately, some justified, much of it not justified.  It takes a toll.  It takes a toll on all cops.  No cop comes into this job with the thought, now I have total power to be corrupt.  
Every officer I am encountering right now is getting the same kind of positive support.  There is support of law enforcement.

It was pretty clear when we knew we had an active shooter and the amount of carnage, this was not a rogue individual.

True heroes who rather than act like celebrities, were just doing their jobs, is the best description of the men and women from multiple agencies who went to rescue innocent citizens from the twisted logic of mentally deranged people. People always appreciate their officers, but sometimes it may not seem like it when the officers are intent on writing tickets or enforcing ancient laws.  During times like these, everyone is grateful for the hard job agents do to help keep the peace.