Sunday, November 25, 2007
It was pitch dark, musty, muggy and 3 a.m. as we rolled up amongst the dim and shattered streetlights of downtown Waco.
Our three vehicles were rolling in slow and quiet with the headlights turned off.
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We all slid silently from the darkened police cars, the FBI agent at my side holding his automatic M4 machine gun as he stalked into position to the left side of the ramshackle, unlit house.
Likewise, my federal marshal partner maneuvered to the porch, his black 12- gauge pump riot gun at the ready.
Four more agents took up tactical positions flanking the four corners.
I unholstered my laser-sighted Springfield 10mm 1911 pistol, cocked, locked and ready to rock. I took cover next to a large oak tree off the back porch.
My bulletproof vest read FEDERAL MARSHALL on front and back, and I wore a Detroit police cap.
Dogs began barking, hounds began to howl. I think I heard a black cat moan.
This was it: a team of highly trained law enforcement commandos charging into the belly of the beast, conducting a nationally organized synchronized raid executing fugitive federal felony arrest warrants on the most dangerous criminal monsters in America.
And there I was, smack dab in the middle, on adrenalin overload.
Would my 30-plus years of law enforcement and military training be adequate if all hell were to break loose?
Would I be shot at? Would I be forced to use deadly force to save my life or the life of an innocent?
Would these Rottwielers and snarling Dobermans in the next yard breech the flimsy fences and attack?
Would I have to shoot them?
Instinctual auto-pilot and memorized tactical training would take over automatically now. I fought to reduce the psychological tunnel vision that was burning to dominate the moment.
This was the real fireball emotional McCoy, baby.
And so the entry assault erupted. Hang on, Nuge. Pay attention, boy.
We had gathered at the McLennan County courthouse that spring night in 2006, a gaggle of cops — local, county, state and federal — sipping hot coffee, jabbering and preparing our assault gear. Warriors all.
Tom Smith, the federal marshal in charge of the Central Texas FALCON (Federal and Local Cops Organized Nationally) force, outlined the specifics of the raid, thick stacks of paperwork and photographs going to each separate assault team.
Then he introduced the participating guest Lake County, Mich., Sheriff's Department special deputy resident guitar player to speak to the assemblage about the seriousness of this national law enforcement event.
I saluted them all and emphatically reminded each and every one of them how deeply appreciative the citizens of Central Texas and America were for the law and order and the security these heroes bring to our streets and neighborhoods.
All were aware of the life-and-death nature of the raid on which we were about to embark — confronting such soulless, evil, recidivistic monsters who were on our target list.
We locked and loaded and headed for our vehicles. It was time to let the big dogs run.
You could cut the spirit in the air with a Texas chainsaw.
With the critical element of surprise on our side, our teams were able to collar numerous fugitives without serious incident in the next few days.
Texas-wide and nationally, this successful joint law enforcement task force took more than 9,000 fugitives, including 1,102 fugitives wanted for committing felony sex offenses, violent sexual assaults and failure to register as sex offenders off the not-so-mean streets of America.
Our Lone Star Fugitive Task Force arrested 879 fugitives.
U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton said, "The people of the Western District of Texas can rest a little easier tonight knowing that 879 criminals charged with felonies are behind bars. Thanks to the hard work and bravery of law enforcement officers across central Texas, this operation was pulled off without a hitch."
Evil is as evil does. I was proud to take part in this operation that makes America safer from those so evil as to prey upon their fellow Americans.
The abject filth, decadence, child mistreatment and human rot I witnessed on this raid confirmed once again how soulless America's criminal element truly is.
Every citizen can, and I believe, must, fight for upgrade in our neighborhoods by simply refusing to tolerate anti-American cannibalism and inbreeding by the lowest forms of life amongst us.
We should all be watchdogs and whistle blowers. Somebody out there knows who's committing these crimes and destroying our lives.
If we don't all stop the rats living amongst us, they will certainly end up ruining everything.
Be a neighborhood commando. Be aware. Demand good behavior. Be intolerant to evil, and let's all make America safer and stronger, one street at a time.
We the people can make a positive difference if we just get involved.
Ted Nugent is a Waco-based musician and television show host. Communicate with Ted directly at tednugent.com.
