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No one is immune from active shooter/workplace violence


The late Lt. Col. William A. Schroeder: A highly decorated member of our Armed Forces. Photo source: http://www.37trw.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/720203/37th-training-wing-and-jbsa-honors-fallen-squadron-commander/

Lt. Col. William A. Schroeder the 342nd Training Squadron Commander at Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland, Texas was shot and killed by a subordinate as he was being escorted to a disciplinary hearing on April 9, 2016.

Lt. Col. Schroeder shouted for everyone in the area to run even as he sustained gunshot wounds to his arm and while struggling for control over the shooter who then shot him in the head, killing him. Lt. Col. Schroeder was just 39.

How could this tragedy have been anticipated? This was the murder of a high-level officer who had dedicated his life to protect and serve and who died not in battle but at the hands of an elite member of our military on our own soil.

The man who killed him in cold blood you see was not a stranger but someone known to him. He was Sgt. Steve Bellino, 41, an Air Force Special Operations trainee and former F.B.I. agent. After murdering Lt. Col. Schroeder, Bellino took his own life.

I frequently address the murder of Lt. Col. Schroeder - a competent highly trained officer in our Armed Forces - to stand for the proposition that no one is immune to an active shooter/workplace violence situation.

See e.g. http://www.propertycasualty360.com/2017/01/05/strategies-to-reduce-workplace-violence

Lt. Col. William A. Schroeder: Showing tremendous courage even in death.

Photo source: http://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1271946/portraits-in-courage-lt-col-william-schroeder/

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The unspeakable killing of Lt. Col Schroeder serves as a reminder that anyone can fall victim to an active shooter in the workplace. The human body is no match for a disgruntled employee on a mission to kill who is armed with a firearm -- or in this case two glocks.

This tragedy also stands for the proposition that anyone can be a perpetrator.

Remembering Lt. Col. William Schroeder a respected member of our military and beloved family man whose murder left his wife a widow and his two sons fatherless.

Prevention is the only solution to the continuing tragedy that is active shooter/workplace violence.

Source:

http://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Commander-went-out-swinging-in-Lackland-7239125.php

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