While patrolling the Florida Panhandle in August 2015, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Officer David Brady suddenly found himself in the fight of his life; what had seemed a routine stop quickly became an open-water gun battle. Shot twice, weighed down by equipment and treading water with a deflated life jacket, he continued to return fire until the would-be murderer – himself shot – finally sped away. Officer Brady joined us at NAWEOA to share his riveting story of survival, resolve, and preparedness.
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Here’s what we discuss:
17-year FWC veteran; Dive Team, Special Operations Group
Nothing is ever routine
Every encounter is different
Call was originally a disturbance complaint
Two ‘kids’ on a sailboat
Officer noticed alcohol and expired registration
Shooter went into the cabin to retrieve paperwork
Emerged from the cabin with a gun
Leapt off the boat as gunshots rang out
First shot passed through Brady’s shoulder – and life jacket
“He was hunting me.”
Returned fire from behind the patrol boat’s engines
Shooter jumped onto patrol boat, still shooting
Swimming, shooting, and reloading in full gear
Shooter then tried repeatedly to run over Brady
Brady continued firing, hitting shooter in the hand
Left for dead
A nearby Coast Guard vessel approaches
“I’ve been shot, and they stole my boat.”
The importance of dispatchers
Shooter and partner were arrested less than two hours later
News spread quickly on social media
Reunited with family at the hospital
Kevlar vest and training made the difference
Train to win
Kevlar vests are now mandatory to wear
“I’m still here.”
It only takes one time
Credits
Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores
Producer: Jay Ammann
Art & Design: Ashley Hannett
Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches
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