You can read the basics here http://tinyurl.com/pwed56z

It appears that the FWC officer was responding to a disturbance of some sort
on the boat the two criminals were aboard, and when he pulled up, one of
them disappeared into the boat's cabin and then reappeared with a gun.
Seems he may have had a drug-related warrant out on him in a northern tier
state and knew that an identity check would land him in jail.  So, of
course, murder was the right choice for him, duh.  Seems to me that if you
want to remain below the radar, you don't create disturbances on the water.
A Panama City Beach police officer was killed (first ever) by a criminal on
the run from a northern tier state 11 years ago during what the cop thought
was a routine traffic stop.

In the current case, a gun battle ensued during which the officer ended up
in the water, and even reloaded while in the soup firing at the criminals as
they hijacked his patrol boat and tried to run him down before running the
boat ashore and briefly escaping into a residential area where at least one
resident confronted them with a gun.

Don't be surprised if FWC guys are a bit cautious when they pull you over
these days.

Rich Gano
2005 Mainship 30 Pilot II
Panama City, FL

Rich,

Thank you for sharing the article on the FWC officer shooting in Panama City. Goodness, what a life we are living.

To me, the article confirms that we are all living in this world together. For those T&T of us, we are blessed to be on the water doing what we love but we need to be mindful of events which surround us. Us likeminded T&T folks need to stay in communication, be vigilant and become proactive when we see something of concern.

Best to all and safe Trawlering!

D Boone
MY Ramaela
The Boathouse at Front Street Village
Beaufort, NC

'Lo All,

I can't add much to Rich's commentary, other than to say that we were
driving near the area where a "super-intensive manhunt" was underway. We
saw the Sheriff's helicopter circling a small part of the area known as
the Cove. As we approached a main entrance to the Cove area, (Hwy 77),
there was a solid stream of Sheriff's, Highway Patrol, and Lynn Haven
Police vehicles headed to the Cove, about half of which were unmarked,
other than all the sirens and hidden blue lights. We estimate that we
saw 50-75 law enforcement cars heading south on Hwy 77. Panama Police
mostly came from a different direction, as did FWC and police cars from
other cities. An armed resident saw the two men trying to break into a
house and tried to apprehend them himself. Luckily, the one with a gun
ran away instantly, so the resident was able to keep control of the
unarmed man. The armed man gave up, after breaking into a house and
running upstairs. Given the intensity of the manhunt, I was surprised to
learn that neither of the suspects were further injured while being
apprehended.... The FWC officer was hit numerous times in the torso, but
his bullet-proof vest saved his life. He was wounded in the
shoulder/clavicle and lower abdomen, but as last I heard, was recovering
in the hospital.

Take care and be safe.

Wayne
Celestial
Albin43 Sundeck
Near Panama City, FL