Hello again, dear readers! Sorry that I missed you last month. I like to write near the end of the month, hoping to comment on anything last minute. However, family issues crowded out my writing time in late April, so I missed one effort. Things like that are going to happen in our busy lives so I’m back on track this month and ready to continue.
This month I am going to comment on past events which I consider very significant for law enforcement and society in general. I hope you find my viewpoints interesting.
The Passing Of A “Giant”
First and foremost, I have been remiss in not aknowledging a man almost completely unknown in our country but who singlehandedly developed the most effective personal self-defense philosophy and tactics in the history of mankind.
His name was Helio Gracie and the man has left a truly indelible mark doing his life’s work. As a young man in Brazil, Mr. Gracie began refining a personal fighting style when he was introduced to elements of self-defense originating in Japan. He quickly realized the value of combining the two styles and the now world famous Gracie Jiu-Jitsu was quietly born. For him, a man of slight physical stature, it was of the utmost importance to be able to consistently defeat an opponent who was larger, heavier and possibly more athletic. Also, the amount of time needed to defeat that opponent became irrelevant, as a fight could last much longer than the classic punching match that most combatants engage in and are often decided in seconds. Mr. Gracie created his own fighting rules and yet fought without rules, if that makes any sense. His self-defense philosophy has been truly revolutionary.
Those of us in and out of law enforcement who have studied Gracie Jiu-Jitsu quickly came to realize just how devastatingly effective it is as a fighting style. While one does not roam the streets looking to fight with anyone who comes along, just knowing how to effectively defend one’s person leads to a far happier life. The sense of intimidation disappears and is replaced with a quiet confidence, almost playfulness, knowing that the outcome of a violent physical encounter will be in your favor.
I have had the pleasure of being friends with two of Mr. Gracie’s dynamic sons, Rorian and Royce Gracie, and was one of their first handful of students in the mid 1980’s when they first arrived in Southern California. I cannot say enough about these two gentlemen and the other members of the Gracie Family who I have had the pleasure of meeting. Now that we are all beginning to accumulate the years, the torch has been passed to the sons who now teach full time and are continuing to spread the word.
In my own way, I would urge anyone who is considering learning self-defense skills to go immediately to Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. You will tap into a family’s life long dedication to passing on the most effective fighting techniques known to man. And girls, this goes for you as well as for the guys. Never again feel intimidated by an oversized opponent, whether the encounter takes place on the street or in close quarters such as a bar. You can tap into this wealth of knowledge by going to www.gracieacademy.com.
In today’s entertainment market, there is much attention paid to these MMA cage matches. Well, just remember that the original fights were completely dominated by the Gracies fighting in their pure style. Nobody could touch ‘em. Also keep in mind that what you see now is a far departure from what the Gracies teach. Stick with the winner, stick with the original.
Mr. Gracie peacefully passed away on January 29, 2009 at his ranch in Brazil. To you, Mr. Helio Gracie, I wish you Godspeed and all the pleasures in paradise. Your life’s work is complete and your name will be carried forward by your family and your students. RIP my dear friend.
Another Tragedy in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Just after completing my article in March on the murders of four of Oakland’s finest officers, we were hit with the incredibly tragic news that three Pittsburgh Police Department Officers were also shot and killed on April 4, 2009. This department had never had three officers killed on one call before. This was a truly shattering experience for another police agency.
Officer Paul Sciullo III was the first to be shot as he entered the doorway responding to a family disturbance call involving a mother and her son, the shooter. Sciullo’s partner, Officer Stephan Mayhle tried to help him and he too was fatally shot. A third officer, Eric Kelly, had rushed to the scene while heading home from his just completed graveyard shift and was fatally shot as he attempted to rescue the two downed officers. Another unbelievable set of circumstances for all of us to try to sort through…
I can never remember a two week period filled with more grieving and sadness than the period between the Oakland and Pittsburgh tragedies. I was walking around in a fog that would not go away. And keep in mind that while everyone was focused on these two extraordinary events, there were other officer deaths occurring in other parts of the country which are not documented in this space.
In law enforcement, one never knows how and when the next officer death will occur. The only sure thing is the word will. We know that all too well. It is not my intention to keep track of each one as it occurs. There are other more capable web sites doing a great job with that sad task. My purpose in commenting here is to make sure that the heroes who gave their utmost to preserve public safety and confront threats are never forgotten. Also, any lessons that us survivors can take with us in the field tomorrow may prove valuable in saving more lives.
Belatedly, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families, friends and professional colleagues of Officers Kelly, Mayhle and Sciullo. My heart has been bleeding with yours over the past few weeks. Their heroism will truly be missed in today’s world. RIP.
See you all next month. Until then, all the best.
Tim