Successful law enforcement careers are built on a foundation of rigorous and effective training, and it's that training that can keep a close call from turning into a fatal one.
OFFICER Magazine looked back at some of the close calls police officers encountered that were caught on video in 2022. In one instance, honed driving skills meant a Vermont state trooper went home uninjured after an unsecured chair flew off a pickup truck and crashed into his cruiser's windshield. In another, properly wearing a bulletproof vest not only saved a Georgia deputy's life, but prevented serious injuries, when a traffic stop turned into a shootout.
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But even the best, most comprehensive training can't cover every harrowing eventuality. How does an officer fend off a suspect wielding a flamethrower? Or what do deputies do when they're attacked by a man in an excavator while apprehending someone else?
Those danger-filled, adrenaline-pumping moments might only make up scant minutes of an officer's time on the job, but those close calls—and how they're handled—might be the difference between a long career in law enforcement and a short one.
A look back at the close calls of 2022 should be a reminder that the goal of every officer is to make it home safely at the end of the day.
Suspect with Flamethrower Confronts N.J. SWAT Unit
A Lyndhurst man with a flamethrower and firearms faces attempted murder and other charges after a nearly 24-hour standoff with police and the Bergen County Regional SWAT Team.
Drivers Help Fla. Trooper Attacked on Roadside
Dashboard camera footage captured a pedestrian punching a Florida Highway Patrol trooper who stopped after spotting the man walking along Interstate 4 in Tampa.
Video Shows Scary Scene as Body Armor Saves Ga. Deputy's Life
Newly released dashboard and body camera footage captures a 24-year-old driver being pulled over before shooting a Jones County sheriff's deputy, whose bulletproof vest prevented serious injury.
Flying Chair Crashes into Windshield of Vt. Trooper's Cruiser
A Vermont State Police trooper had a close call driving along the interstate in South Burlington after an unsecured chair flew off a pickup truck and into the trooper's windshield.
Tenn. Officers Dragged by Car as Suspect Flees Traffic Stop
A frightening traffic stop was captured by a dashboard camera as two Franklin police officers struggled with a suspect before being dragged along the interstate, with one officer run over during the escape.
Gunman Hangs from Moving Car to Shoot at Detroit Police
A squad car was struck in the engine block and the roof—just a few inches from an officer's head—when Detroit police on drag racing detail spotted a man hanging out of a car's window.
Dad Uses Excavator to Attack Vt. Troopers Arresting Son
When Vermont State Police troopers tried to take his son into custody, a father in Hardwick got behind the controls of an excavator to swing the scoop at troopers in a wild attack caught on video.
Ala. Officer Fights Off Inmate Grabbing for Gun
While being escorted to a waiting transport unit, an inmate tried to take the gun from Cullman Police Officer Matt Hollingsworth, whose quick reactions foiled the inmate.
Bodycam Captures Scary Moment of 4-Year-Old Firing on Utah Police
Unified Police Department officers were involved in a close call earlier this year when a 4-year-old boy shot at them while they were apprehending the child's father outside a Midvale fast food restaurant.
Sparking Power Lines Nearly Hit Tenn. Police Officer
Cookeville police dashcam footage captured an incident when a tractor-trailer drove through a crash scene, pulling down a utility pole and power lines.
Tampa Police Officer Narrowly Avoids Pair of Wrong-Way Drivers
Dashboard camera footage captured two drivers traveling the wrong way on an expressway exit, forcing a Tampa police officer to swerve out of the way to prevent a collision.
Bodycam Shows N.C. Police's Violent Clash with Mass Shooting Suspect
In the recently released footage, Raleigh police are seen exchanging gunfire with a suspect who had shot seven people and wounded an officer in the shootout.
Man Posing as Parent Attacks Ohio Officer During Questioning
While a suspect accused of impersonating a parent in order to kidnap a girl at a school open house was waiting to be interviewed, he tried to stab a Xenia police officer with a pen before being subdued.
