Pre SWAT shoots fish

Mike6br · #1 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 12:03 AM

Im retired now, and have been for several years, but when I first got out of the service, as a Viet Nam Vet in 1964, I applied and joined the sheriffs department of a rather large county on the peninsula below San Francisco.
I was single at the time and spent a lot of time at the range, and reloaded my own 30-06 ammo and other calibers. The department provided all duty hand gun practice ammo.

This was in about 1966 or 7 and before the name SWAT had been thought up, but the Sargent's and above know I was a good rifle shot, so I was asked to carry my scoped 30-06 bolt rifle in its soft case in the trunk when on duty.

On one sunny Saturday afternoon, I was working the coast when I got a call of a sighting of a great white shark at one of the state park beaches in the south end of the county.

So I rolled south code 3, and soon noticed a CHP 15' off my tail, so we caravaned on down to the beach, and just before we get there I notice 3 other CHP cars out on a point in a grassy field, so that's where I went still with the other CHP on my tail.
When I stop, hear are the 3 CHPs laying across there hoods shooting at this fin about 600 yards out, and 100 ft below us, with there 357s. (that should tell you how long ago it was) The state park guys had everyone out of the water, so we had an audience of over a hundred onlookers on the beach.

The CHP were more having a good time trying to see who could come the closest, but it was fairly safe, all that was visible was a large fin and a bit of tail once in a while, we estimated it to be over 12' long.

So I got out the 06 (for the first and only time) and layed on my hood, estimated where his head should be, and put several rounds there.
We never saw any blood, not sure we could have, but a lot of water would fly in the air, and the crowd on the beach would Cheer. As it swim on out to sea.
I did get a little ribbing when I got back to the office, but all in fun, and no one got hurt, except the fish maybe.
Im glad this was the only time I ever took that rifle out of the trunk.
I still reload, and shoot a 6MM BR at a range at least once a week.
Mike.

Mtn. Medic · #2 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 06:53 AM

"We never saw any blood, not sure we could have, but a lot of water would fly in the air, and the crowd on the beach would Cheer. As it swim on out to sea.

My how times have changed. Nowdays you would likely be facing scores of angry PETA members and hostile environuts.

NSP · #3 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mtn. Medic

"We never saw any blood, not sure we could have, but a lot of water would fly in the air, and the crowd on the beach would Cheer. As it swim on out to sea.

My how times have changed. Nowdays you would likely be facing scores of angry PETA members and hostile environuts.

PETA members would be far more happy if you'd throw the shark a dozen or so kids so that it fills it's belly and leaves of it's own accord.

Mike6br · #4 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 05:27 PM

Your sure wright about that, time has changed almost everything, in looking back now, I can see several things that would have to have been done differently today.
Today they would have just locked down all the beaches for a week or two, posted a few hundred signs along a 20 mi stretch, and had the problem studied by several organization, after a fight in court to see who has jurisdiction.
I feel like such a simpleton now, for eliminating the problem, rather than studying the situation for a week first, instead I jumping the gun. (pun intended

)
Mike.

NikNak · #5 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 05:46 PM

Gotta love the reallity of history when there weren't forms to fill out. We had a Deputy that was a member of our hometown WI gun club who handed his revolver to a friend to dispose of a deer/car accident victim. He didn't want to have to fill out the paperwork regarding discharging his weapon .... he figured if Mike did it, then he was in the clear ..... those were the days. Yes, the deer made good chili and AMC Pacer

was never the same again ... It's bubble had been popped.