Williamson Police Lt. C.D. Rockel, who doubles as a West Virginia certified instructor, administered the test to the officers. The officers go through a series of different scenarios at various distances, which begins during daylight hours. The officers must fire at a target beginning at three yards, moving backwards to include distances varying at 12, 15 and 25 yards. The officers can only use one hand to shoot at the target.
During the qualifications they shoot one set with their “strong” hand and then must alternate the gun to their “weak” hand.
After dark, the officers then perform the gun course again under different light conditions, including shooting in the dark, by flashlight and by the lights on their police car.
“This is just part of the training an officer goes through to stay certified with the state,” said Williamson Police Chief Roby Pope. “Officers are required to also have 16 hours of annual recertification and officers with a rank below sergeant must have 24 hours with eight hours of supervisory hours.”
The results from the gun qualifications are sent into the state where they are put into a computer data base to Chuck Saddler, the West Virginia director of law enforcement.
Pope also does the gun course to keep his certification in effect, even though as chief he is exempt from participating. A benefit to doing the recertification is it is good reliability during courtroom testimony.
In addition, two retired Williamson Police Department officers, Wally Looney and Dave Tincher participated in the gun course for their concealed weapon permits. Unfortunately, that night Tincher suffered a massive heart attack and died at the gun qualifications at approximately 10:30 p.m. Officers on the scene attempted CPR, but their efforts were in vain. Funeral services for Tincher were held over the weekend at the Williamson Field House.
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