Newhall Shooting - A Tactical Analysis. Michael E. Wood

Others before me have attacked the issue to some degree. Chief John Anderson’s The Newhall Incident offered less in the way of tactical analysis, and instead focused more on the historical backgrounds of the killers and the officers, and the overall narrative of the story. Massad Ayoob’s “Ayoob Files: The Newhall Massacre” was much more tactically focused, but suffered from limitations of the abbreviated magazine article format, which prohibited the use of extensive figures, photographic evidence, and detailed analysis.

      3. I should take special care to note that I use this term broadly, purposely including not only our law enforcement and military professionals, but also Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman’s aptly-named civilian “sheepdogs” as well (On Combat, Lt Col Dave Grossman with Loren W. Christensen). After all, as we shall see, it was one of these civilian sheepdogs who valiantly fought alongside the officers on that fateful night and inflicted the most significant wounds on the enemy.

      Acknowledgements

      I’d like to thank the following people for their critical assistance in the preparation of this book.

      Jay Rice (CHP Officer, ret.), for answering all my silly questions about CHP history, policies, training, and equipment in great detail, for putting me in contact with other valuable sources to interview, and for graciously letting me have access to his priceless library of notes and manuals from his days as a CHP Cadet. I appreciate all the support and encouragement you gave me.

      Gil Payne (CHP Officer, ret.), for his equally important and detailed inputs on CHP training, vehicles, and firearms of the era, and for his encouragement on the project. Keep sending those great emails, Gil.

      George Nuttall (CHP Captain, ret.), for his invaluable contributions about training and leadership issues at the CHP Academy, CHP policies and procedures of the era, CHP firearms history, and for his razor-sharp memory about all things CHP. Those with an interest in the CHP will want to check out his book, Cops, Crooks and Other Crazies, which is superb.

      Harry Ingold (CHP Sergeant, ret.) and Richard Robinson (CHP Officer, Retired) for sharing their critical first-person accounts of the shooting, their memories of the officers, and their valuable time, but most of all for risking their own safety to help their fellow officers. Harry, Richard, you did everything you possibly could for those guys, and I respect you greatly for it. Thank you for being willing to revisit some painful memories. I’m grateful for the opportunity to help you tell your story.

      Massad Ayoob, my teacher, mentor, and friend, for more than three decades of cutting edge instruction in how to defend and preserve life against the evil in this world. You have taught me and inspired me, Mas, as both a teacher and author, and I’m grateful for your example, guidance, friendship, and assistance on this project. I’m honored to know you, learn from you, and work with you.

      Bruce Siddle, my new friend and the “Father of Combat Human Factors,” for his exceptional insight and his enthusiasm and support for my project. Your vote of confidence was the best endorsement I could ever ask for. Thank you for carrying the torch to light the way for the rest of us.

      The gang at Mollies, for all their encouragement and support ever since I was a little kid picking up brass on the range and posting targets, for always making a seat available for me when I visit, and for keeping my Dad alive in the stories they tell about him—I’m always happy and proud to be with you guys and wish I could be there more often.

      Tom Vetter (LASD Lieutenant, ret.), for sharing his memories of the officers and providing valuable insight about the details of the shooting.

      Captain Dave Smith (LASD Homicide), for allowing me access to his outstanding people and resources. Thank you for your trust and assistance.

      Detective Sergeant Paul Delhauer (LASD, ret.), for his gracious and generous assistance with the project. Thank you for your kind reception, for your special efforts with the pictures, for allowing me to pick your brain, and for allowing me to invade your crowded office. I hope you’ll enjoy a well-deserved retirement.

      Detective Sergeant Pat Dorris (LASD), for his thorough review of the manuscript and for his valuable insights to working the street. Thank you for going the extra mile to put me in touch with Homicide—it was a breakthrough that made the book possible, and I can’t thank you enough. Your dad’s excellent work on this case, now more than 40 years ago, made this researcher’s job much easier.

      Mike Havstad (LASD Scientific Services Bureau), for all of his wonderful efforts with the photographs and for his patience with me as I sent him back into the negatives time after time to look for microscopic details and find the right images.

      Michael Fratantoni (LASD Historian), for his gracious help and assistance.

      Detective Scott Lusk (LASD Homicide), for shepherding me while I did my research.

      Pat Saletore and the folks at the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society, for their gracious help and assistance, for putting me in contact with Harry, and for their outstanding work in preserving the history of the Newhall Shooting;

      Officer Craig Kuehl (CHP Solano Area Training Officer), for his valuable time, keen insights of today’s CHP, and gracious assistance with the project. Your officers are safer because of your talented and dedicated efforts.

      Officer Fred Oakes (CHP Academy, Enforcement Tactics Unit), for graciously hosting me at the CHP Academy and providing a window into modern-day cadet training at one of the world’s foremost law enforcement academies. I appreciate all your efforts to pave the way for me, Fred—you went above and beyond and are a true professional in every sense. Thanks also to Fred’s team of highly talented, highly motivated instructors: Officer Jake Steel, Officer Kevin Jeffcoach, and Officer Ryan Dore. Thank you for what you do, gentlemen. I was honored to spend time with you.

      Sergeant Mike Green (CHP Academy, Weapons Training Unit) for his generous time and for running a world-class training program for the men and women who protect our communities.

      Sergeant Linda Powell (CHP Academy, Administrative Services Unit) for opening the doors to the CHP Museum archives and for her support and help.

      Sergeant John Owen (Media Relations, CHP Headquarters) for his assistance with coordinating image releases and a review of the manuscript;

      The CHP Museum Foundation Board of Directors, to include Commissioner (Retired) Spike Helmick, Chief (Retired) Keith Miller, and Officer (Retired) Rick Mattos. Thank you for allowing me access to the treasures in your archives, for your exceptional support and trust, and for keeping the history of the Patrol alive through your dedicated efforts. I owe special thanks to Rick Mattos for paving the way with his own book, California Highway Patrol (Images of America), published by Arcadia Publishing, which is a fascinating pictoral history of the Patrol. Readers are highly encouraged to visit the newly-remodeled CHP Museum, located on the grounds of the CHP Academy in Sacramento;

      Miss Mary Guido (CHP Headquarters) for her assistance with the CHP Library archives.

      Mr. Dan Fowler, for his exceptional work with the historic images from the CHP Museum and for catching my last-minute “Hail Mary” pass with ease. You brought these pages to life with exciting images of days past, and I’m grateful;

      Lieutenant John Whitney (Vallejo, California PD), for his careful review of the manuscript, detailed answers to my questions, and for his friendship and encouragement. I respect you greatly. Be safe out there, my friend.

      Lieutenant Colonel Paul Wood (USAF), for his critical review of the manuscript, his valuable operational and tactical expertise, and his encouragement with the project. He even came up with the title. We took much of this journey through CHP history together, and I enjoyed it even more because he was there with me. I’m proud to be your brother. Thank you for your dedicated service to our great nation.

      Jim Schlender and Corrina Peterson at F&W Media, for taking a chance on an unknown wannabe author, and giving him the opportunity to achieve a dream. Thank you both for allowing me to share this book with the law enforcement profession I respect so much.

      The “Quiet Professionals,”