On November 5th a horrific shooting occurred at Ft. Hood Military Base resulting in 13 dead and 30+ wounded. A Major (and Psychiatrist) for the U.S. Army is the accused shooter. Much is being made of his name, his background and his actions. However, instead of the shooter, let's discuss the hero of the day, Officer Kimberly Munley.

A member of the civilian police department for Fort Hood, she and her partner were the first police officers to arrive on the scene, showing up roughly 3 minutes after the first call went out. By chance, where they arrived is where the suspect was also. Now, details are not specific at this time, however, Officer Munley and the shooter encountered each other and a gunfight ensued. Despite being wounded herself, Office Munley hit the suspect four times, dropping him in his tracks and preventing any more shootings.

The Army (specifically Lt. Gen Cone) is giving her complete credit for stopping the shooting as should we. Officer Kimberly Munley, you are a hero. You will say you were doing your job, which is part of why you are a hero. Thank you for your service, who knows how bad things would have been without your intervention.

Edit: Additional information: According to a New York Times article Officer Munley is a firearms expert, a firearms instructor for the police department, a member of the SWAT team, former Army and an all around bad ass, along with being an incredible woman.

Statements are showing that as she pulled up she saw the suspect chasing a wounded soldier, firing. She exited her vehicle and drew the shooter's attention. She and the shooter started closing on each other, both firing repeatedly. It is unknown if her first round hit or if anyone else also fired, however, it is know she hit several times, even, apparently, after being wounded.

Overall, she was hit in the right wrist and two wounds to EACH thigh.

So yeah, even with the tragedy we have before us, we have a person that each and every one of us can admire.

Bishop John Shelby Spong has had it, go here and read what he has to say.

My favorite quotes from the entire statement:

"Indeed I feel the Christian Church should not only apologize, but do public penance for the way we have treated people of color, women, adherents of other religions and those we designated heretics, as well as gay and lesbian people."

and

"I am unwilling to argue about it or to discuss it as if there are two equally valid, competing positions any longer. The day for that mentality has simply gone forever."

For a Bishop to come out with this statement is amazing. There is no date when he made this statement I just hope he has stuck to it.

Bishop Spong, thank you for realizing that, when we get down to it, people are people, the same all over.