GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ Book Review: Bullet Riddled: The First S.W.A.T. Officer Inside Columbine...and Beyond by Grant M. Whitus, Thom Vines | I Smell Sheep

Saturday, September 3, 2016

Book Review: Bullet Riddled: The First S.W.A.T. Officer Inside Columbine...and Beyond by Grant M. Whitus, Thom Vines


by Grant M. Whitus, Thom Vines
September 1st 2016
Paperback, 249 pages
Grant Whitus joined the Colorado SWAT in 1992. His 17 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 SWAT 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 SWAT 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 SWAT: 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 SWAT 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.

Let me preference this by saying I am one of those "stupid liberals" that Mr. Whitus hates so much. This poorly written memoir of a former S.W.A.T team member is riddled not with bullets but with cliché right-wing propaganda. The author clearly shows his lacking vocabulary with every other word being f***, sh**, goddamnit, etc. Within the first few chapters you realize how unstable this guy is, seriously, he’s borderline scary. He talks about wanting to "kill them all" when confronting criminals (because this country totally doesn’t have trial by jury). Whitus rants frequently about how stupid liberals are, and how they all hate cops and blah, blah, blah, Fox News watching, testosterone filled, egotistic jerk.

Here’s a piece of gold (talking about cop hating liberals): “Yet afterward, they go back to hating us and all we stand for, for taking care of business they’d never have had the balls to tackle themselves… hypocrites.”

Side note: Mr. Whitus I am one of these bleeding heart liberals you hate so much. I am part of the movement that demands a higher standard for police officers, but I love the men and women in blue who risk their lives every day. My industry works closely with these people and I have the highest respect for them. I take offense to this statement and let me assure you should someone threaten me, my friends or my family that I surely have the "balls’ to ‘take care of business."

Seriously, this guy is a jerk. He uses his involvement in the Columbine shooting to brag on himself. He clearly sees himself as a god like hero (and he is a hero, as are all the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect us) but that doesn’t excuse his thinly veiled racism and prejudices.

I would also expect someone in his position to use a little bit more respect when describing crime scenes, victims, and the dead.

Perhaps his political views would have been bearable had his writing been better, but it’s not. The book is written like a drunk man rambling at the bar. The biggest problem I have is the highly graphic photographs of the killers (including the Columbine killers). As someone who works with the dead, I am against showing the bodies of the deceased (especially in violent deaths) no matter how evil they are. His use of these photos is clearly to shock the reader (see how tough he is yet?) but it’s just disrespectful to the families.

He also brags about assaulting a suspect in handcuffs (beyond illegal) and how he has an insatiable urge to kill the ‘evil’. I suggest Mr. Whitus stop writing and focus on his deep seeded issues.

If you’re a Fox News watching, liberal hating, fellow who likes to read at a fifth grade level, then maybe this book for you. If you’re not, save yourself the time. He barely talks about Columbine anyways.


1.5 Sheep




RenS

About the Author:
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Sergeant Grant Whitus is a 26-year veteran of a Colorado sheriff’s office. He served 17 years on SWAT, the last seven as the Team Leader.

Grant was the Lead SWAT Team 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. Listen to the true and accurate account of what occurred at Columbine from the person who was actually there. Grant was also the Team Leader during the Bulldozer Incident in Granby, CO. Additionally, he was the 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. Most recently, Grant was the Team Leader during an Officer Rescue where over thirty rounds were fired. The officer was rescued without injury while the suspect was shot by S.W.A.T.

Grant is a certified Explosive Breacher and a Colorado POST Certified Instructor for the Law Enforcement Training Academy. He teaches Officer Survival, Building Searches, Rapid and Immediate Deployment (RAID), Single Officer Response (Lone Wolf), SWAT, Responding to In-Progress Calls, Law Enforcement Driving, Precision Immobilization Technique, Building Searches, Close Combat Techniques, Traffic Stops, and Civil Law for the Patrol Officer, as well as many other disciplines.

Grant attended Arapahoe and Red Rocks Community Colleges.

He has received 16 Medals, including five Medals for Valor, and is the most decorated employee at the sheriff’s office. In 2002, Grant and his SWAT Team were honored as “Police Officer of the Year”

Grant has been featured on: FOX NEWS, ABC News Denver, CNN, CBS News, ABC New York, FOX Business, ABC News Radio, Dr. Drew Pinsky, FOX and Friends, Al Sharpton/Politics Nation, MSNBC, The Lip TV, Law Enforcement Today, MSNBC Morning Joe, iHeart Radio, NPR, NBC Affiliates, CBS Affiliates, ABC Affiliates, FOX Affiliates, Al Jazeera TV, Examiner.com and The National Review, to list a few

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