Pistol Team Ready To Take On The Country

They're asked to serve and protect the streets of San Angelo but come next month, the five officers that make up the S.A.P.D. pistol team will have their sights set on a national competition.

Rusty Herndon, Team Captain of the S.A.P.D. Pistol Team, "This is the second year that we've gone. Chris Hironima and I went to Albuquerque New Mexico and competed at the National Police Shooting Championship."

The team, called Git' cha Some, will take on 400-500 officers from around the country and the world. Rusty Herndon said they've worked hard at preparing for the event.

He said, "We've been practicing since April. We feel like we're ready. We've come a long way. I mean John Caster Senior has been our coach who has come out here and just been a big asset to the team."

Herndon said it takes countless hours of preparation to get ready for a gun competition that is this precise and accurate.

He said, "There's a dedication and a lot of practice that goes into watching your sights, watching the target, trigger manipulation, patience, a steady hand and a keen eye. All of those things come into play, into the great orchestra that puts the bullet on the 'x'."

The competition is completely different than what these officers deal with on the streets. However, some of the skills used at the event will enhance how they perform while on duty.

"It does. It helps gun control, it helps sight alignment, it helps staying focused with the handgun," said Herndon.

The National Pistol Championships will take place October 1-5. The Git' cha Some team will shoot in single and team competitions.