DC special response team receives award

Effective law enforcement officers think swiftly, exercise discipline and are cognizant of their surroundings. The Washington DC Special Response Team – a highly trained tactical team of special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – exhibited all of these characteristics.

On Thursday, the team received the 2014 National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) Unit Citation for Valor at the NTOA Annual Conference in Mobile, Alabama for its handling of a high-risk arrest warrant Aug. 1, 2013.

The special response team planned to execute a high-risk arrest warrant that morning at a target's residence. The target was suspected of possessing, receiving and distributing child pornography. He had a concealed weapons permit and was active in several local shooting clubs. Special agents also knew he had a large cache of firearms and ammunition at his residence, which could prove dangerous.

As the target approached his vehicle that morning, special response team members initiated his arrest.

Team members yelled "Police!" as they exited their unmarked van.

As they did so, the target drew a concealed handgun from a satchel slung across his chest and pointed it at the special response team members.

While the team could have fired their weapons, they exercised discipline in the situation since there were occupied dwellings close by. Instead, they calmly assessed the situation to minimize damage to the target and any innocent bystanders.

When the target tried to escape down a nearby path, team members closely monitored him. It wasn't until the target directly pointed his weapon directly at one of the team members, that another team member unleashed a bullet, disabling the target.

After the team arrested and requested medical assistance for the target, they made entry into his residence. There, they recovered 41 firearms, stockpiles of ammunition and stacks of loaded magazines.

That August morning could have taken a turn for the worst if it were not for the unwavering courage, discipline and concern for public safety the team members exhibited.