The First S.W.A.T. Officer Inside Columbine...And Beyond

BULLET RIDDLED
The First S.W.A.T. Officer Inside Columbine...And Beyond
by 
Grant M. Whitus
with Thom Vines 

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 Grant Whitus joined the Colorado S.W.A.T in 1992. His seventeen year career was one of constant headlines. Among leading countless drug raids and hostage situations, he was on the front lines of the Columbine Massacre, The Platte County Tragedy, the Albert Petrosky shooting, and the Granby tank rampage. Speaking for the first time, Whitus gives the unvarnished truth of those, and many other, major S.W.A.T operations. Now retired, he opens up about his time behind the shield. Bullet Riddled is the full unabridged disclosure of what happened during his storied career; including the brutal morning of the Columbine Massacre. More than just a retelling, Bullet-Riddled is an in-depth look at the day-to-day of S.W.A.T and focuses on the men and women who inherit so much pain to keep us safe. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the aftermath of the Columbine tragedy. The following days saw major changes within S.W.A.T. Men cracked, leaders folded and the entire country demanded changes. But these changes, like all reforms, met with stiff resistance from the old guard. Friendships turned into rivals and the infrastructure of S.W.A.T began to unravel. As resignations piled up, Grant rebuilt the entire team from hand-selected recruits. He finally had his elite team, one that would face new demons and disorders.


AUTHOR
Sergeant Grant Whitus is a 26 year veteran of the Jefferson County Sheriff's office in the Denver, Colorado area and retired as a Sergeant. He served 17 years on SWAT, the last seven years as the SWAT Team Leader and is an expert in Mass Shootings and is also certified as an expert in Close Quarter Battle, which is classified as a firearms shoot-out within a close distance such as a school room. Grant was the Lead Shield SWAT Member during the Columbine High School shooting. He gave aid to the teacher who was shot and then was the first to enter the library and locate the shooters. Grant has the true and accurate account of what occurred at Columbine as he was the first officer on the scene. He also was the SWAT Team Leader who devised and executed the explosive tactical plan for the Hostage Rescue at Platte Canyon High School in September 2006, the only one of its kind. Grant served as the SWAT Team Leader during an Officer Rescue where over thirty rounds were fired. The officer was rescued without injury while the suspect was shot by SWAT. Additionally, he was the SWAT Team Leader during the Bulldozer Incident in Granby, Colorado. Grant has received 16 Medals including five Medals for Valor and is the most decorated at the Jefferson County Sheriff s office. In 2002, Grant and his SWAT Team were honored as Police Officers of the Year . Grant has been featured on: FOX NEWS, ABC, CNN, CBS, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Law Enforcement Today, NBC, MSNBC, FOX & Friends... to list a few. 


                                                      
                                           
                                             Grant Whitus         Thom Vine


REVIEW
 If you're looking for a book about real events with all the icing to cover the real and life altering events of a tragedy, then this book is not for you.  There is no icing, just hard, cold facts.  The events and aftermath will hit you right in the gut. It will take your breathe away and stay with you forever.  Covered on all the media outlets, this event, to some, is just another of the many tragedies that occur in the day to day world.  But to those whose loved ones were killed, injured and witnessed what happened, it won't ever go away.  You can't turn it off as with the television.
Grant Whitus was the first S.W.A.T. officer to enter the library of Columbine High School.  He witnessed the carnage but didn't have time to step back.  He immediately went  to the aid  of some and went in search of the shooters.  Being the first officer on the scene, he can't turn it off, it stays with him.
This is an emotional read, but somewhere along the line, we have to do something.  All the murders and injuries that are taking place, when will it end?  It hasn't so far, it seems to have gotten considerably worse.
Your heart will pound, the tears will fall and you will be on a ride of your life .
You will gain knowledge of Grant M. Whitus, the S.W.A.T. team and how these tragedies affect them.
This isn't for the weak hearted, children or those who just dismiss these kind of events as, "Oh well".
Read this!  I strongly suggest it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Waldorf Publishing and the author,, Grant M. Whitus in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.

I would give this book a strong  5 STARS.  Would give 10 if I could.