Pocola administrator thankful for active shooter training

Pocola administrator thankful for active shooter training

By Rep. RICK WEST

I received a letter recently from Pocola Town Administrator John Limbocker who wrote about his appreciation of Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers who delivered active shooter training to town officials.

Limbocker has worked for Pocola since 1995. His job duties include emergency management, floodplain administrator, 911 coordinator, reserve police officer, and volunteer fireman.

He said for the last 20 or so years, the town received active shooter training from OHP Trooper Ben Crocket. After Crocket’s retirement, however, he was a little concerned the town would not be able to get this kind of quality training anymore.

He was grateful to learn the training would continue and in the good hands of troopers like the ones who came to assist with the Louisiana State University’s Law Enforcement Active Shooter Emergency Response program.

Limbocker said Troopers Cody Jackson of D Troop, Matthew Krupczyk with the Patrol’s Emergency Services Unit, and Nolan Philpott and Levi Eaton of Troop C , were very knowledgeable and professional, and put on a very good class.

“We appreciate them coming out and helping teach this valuable skill,” Limbocker wrote. “In these changing times, I feel that is important for this quality training to be provided everywhere across the state.”

Limbocker went on to thank the Highway Patrol for the hard work and dedication shown to the town by their troopers. He said he would be proud to sponsor this class again in the future and will advise everyone who missed out on this opportunity that they need to make the next one.

Limbocker also praised the implementation of mental health awareness training, saying he believes the Oklahoma First Responders Wellness Division will save lives throughout the state.

“I’m writing you this letter in hopes that some recognition can be given to the people who sacrifice their time for a safer and more productive State of Oklahoma,” Limbocker wrote. “Unfortunately, we are living in the world where these skills are necessary. There’s an increasing number of people who would attack us in some of our most vulnerable areas.”

He said school shootings are on the rise as well as shootings in churches and every day markets.

The education and training that’s being provided to all the police officers, firemen, and emergency management personnel across the state adds to safety and well-being of everyone, he wrote.

He noted this training is not only being offered to new officers by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training, but it’s being offered in conferences as well as individual departments upon their request.

“I’m very grateful to be a part of that education and experience,” Limbocker wrote.

He said he’s also very grateful to have met some of the finest law enforcement officers at last year’s conference. Among those were Oklahoma State Troopers Danny Long and Chance Tuttle.

Their commitment to the profession, and to the other law enforcement officers, firemen and emergency management directors in the State of Oklahoma should be commended, he said, and their unwavering commitment to duty is unsuppressed.

Couldn’t agree more.

As always, if I can help you with anything, please call my Capitol office at (405) 557-7413 or email me at [email protected]. 

Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.

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