Officers converge on Spartanburg for SWAT team competitions

Decision-making, rescue judged at competition

When seconds count, the Rev. Riley Hammond may have been a tad late Friday afternoon.

But there was no mistaking that the chaplain's team from the Aiken County Sheriff's Office had things under control. "Daddy took it down with a handgun," Tammy Burgess told him, describing her husband's performance in the lumberjack match.

David Burgess, team leader of the Aiken tactical unit, used a Glock .40-caliber pistol. He was assisted by team members Darren Norris, using an MP5 submachine gun, and Lewis Meredith firing a Benelli 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun.

Walking off, Norris said, "And next time we need to use goggles with this thing." Norris said the 100 rounds he fired in less than 13 seconds released fumes that burned his eyes. As he prepared to reload, Burgess fired the shot that caused the 4 feet by 4 feet timber to topple and fall.

The three-man team, pleased with their performance, went to their cheering section in a safety zone. They joined Mrs. Burgess and the couple's children, April Breeden, 23, Ally Burgess, 12, Hunter Burgess, 5, and Candace Burgess, 19, and filled in Hammond who was running an errand.

Aiken's time of less than 13 seconds was the fastest of 15 teams participating in the particular event.

"Our dad's team is the oldest -- member wise -- so we wanted to come along and cheer them on," said Breeden.

This is the eighth year the Spartanburg County Detention Facility has hosted the four-day event. The conference and competition includes rappelling, physical agility and accuracy in using weapons, hostage rescue and decision making.

Director Larry Powers said police departments, military bases and sheriff's offices from as many as five states were represented.

The Rock Hill Police Department is defending champs for the last two years.

"We're just working to be smooth and consistent and take the trophy home again this year," said Michael Belk. His partner Derek Williams compared the 80-degree temperatures this week in Spartanburg to cold rain last year. "I think we're doing good overall," Williams said. "Although first place in all events would have been nice."

Local participants included the Spartanburg Public Safety SWAT team. Brian Stokes, Jamie Alexander and Mark Alexander were in the lumberjack match Friday. And Craig Bradley and Tony Membreno followed in the two-man challenge to test physical endurance and shooting skills.

Terry Dennis with the USMC Air Station at Beaufort said the sessions are physically and mentally challenging. It's easy to tell which teams are not as prepared, he explained. "But the main thing is not to beat yourself up but to drive on," Dennis said.

His team member Howard Corvillon said the heat and sun affected performance in some events. "It'll wear you out," he said. The Marines' third team member Rodolfo Hernandez said most of the SWAT members are volunteers. "They give up their personal time to train and do this. The camaraderie is great," he said.

The conference included vendors who showed their wares. Norman MacLeod of Southport, N.C., who operates Tri-Tech Inc. after 22 years in law enforcement was on hand. MacLeod shared his expertise in areas including using bulletproof vests. And T.J. Hill of Mirage Technologies in Clearwater, Fla., gave demonstrations on explosives ranging from military types to pipe bombs and letter bombs. "These guys need to know that all kinds of explosives are out there, how to recognize them and call in an ordnance demolition team," Hill said.

Powers said competition will continue today. The winning team will be decided from a compilation of scores and presented a trophy during a banquet tonight.

Janet Spencer can be reached at 582-4511, Ext. 7222, or janet.spencer@shj.com.