Ambush
The Ambush topic page features safety tips, columnist commentary and the latest news updates on the growing threat of targeted attacks against police officers.
From safer vehicle stops to tactical edge techniques, this guide equips officers with actionable tools to enhance safety and readiness today
Neuroscience research can help guide police training for better decision-making and performance under life-threatening stress
An account told through the eyes of those at the center of the events of July 7, 2016, when five Dallas police officers were ambushed and killed and 11 injured
Video shows San Luis Obispo deputies arriving in marked cruisers before a muzzle flash appears; the suspect then fired shots at close range
Bristol Police Lt. Dustin DeMonte and Sgt. Alex Hamzy died in an ambush after a suspect used a fake 911 call to lure officers following a traffic stop
With the right tactics, training and awareness, officers can improve their chances of detecting danger before it strikes
The Hillsborough police officer, who was ambushed in a secured area in the station’s parking lot, was able to return fire before the suspect fled on foot
A Navy veteran called 911 threatening violence before opening fire on responding San Antonio Police officers, stating he had “high-power rifles and everything”
The man fired at officers responding to a 911 call before driving away to ambush another officer at a different location; he then ran to a house, where he was killed
The Fairfax County Police officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries; investigators say that the suspect’s claims about killing people were false
Seven San Antonio police officers were shot while responding to a “suicide in progress” call and the suspect was later found dead after a standoff, Chief Bill McManus said
“Despite his critical injuries, Officer [Cooper] Dawson displayed exceptional courage, returning fire, and striking the suspect,” Greenville police said in a statement
The Fresno sergeant reportedly told colleagues that he was glad he was wounded rather than his officers
After a man drove up next to the Fresno police officer and opened fire, the officer and several colleagues exchanged gunfire with the man, fatally wounding him
A Colorado State Patrol corporal was likely a “target of opportunity” when he was ambushed and shot while parked along a freeway working on paperwork
Cpl. Tye Simcox was parked in his patrol vehicle when a driver fired multiple shots at him; the driver then pulled over, got out and continued firing at the officer
Deputy Brandon Cunningham, 30, had been with the Paulding County Sheriff’s office for just over four years and was the father of two
The deputy saw a man and woman acting oddly and tried to speak with them; the pair ran behind a building before jumping out to attack him
Lake County Deputy Harold Howell has been released from the hospital days after the ambush killed Deputy Bradley Michael Link; Deputy Stefano Gargano remains hospitalized
The woman allegedly first tried to kill her neighbors; when Lake County deputies entered her home, her husband and daughters ambushed the deputies before killing themselves
Lake County Deputy Bradley Link was killed in an ambush shooting that wounded two other deputies as they tried to reach him after responding to a disturbance at a home
The James City County PD officers standing outside were unable to see where the shots were coming from; neither was struck by gunfire, but one was treated for other injuries
A second man has been arrested on a capital murder charge after allegedly disposing of guns given to him by the suspected shooter, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said
After a day-long manhunt, a suspect has been arrested and charged with capital murder in the killing of Harris County Deputy Fernando Esqueda
Deputy Fernando Esqueda with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office was shot and killed while searching for a suspect who assaulted a restaurant employee over a wrong order
Oakland County Sheriff’s Office deputy Bradley J. Reckling was pursuing a suspected stolen vehicle when three suspects got out and shot him in the head, chest and torso
“All Jamal was trying to do was help somebody. He was very suddenly, and without provocation, ambushed and assassinated.”
The transcripts include dozens of panicked emergency calls from bystanders, witnesses and victims who watched the mayhem unfold
The suspect attacked the Carlsbad Police officer from behind without warning; the officer fired shots at the suspect because he thought he had been shot
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