Female Cop Hailed as Ft. Hood Hero

Police Officer Kimberly Munley's Heroic Actions Prevented Tragedy from Being Worse, Military Officials Say

(CBS)  The shooting rampage at Fort Hood that left 13 people dead and wounded 31 others could have been worse, if not for the actions of police officer Kimberly Munley, reports CBS News correspondent Don Teague.

Munley, a civilian police officer employed by the Army, was the first responder credited with shooting Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, a military psychiatrist who allegedly opened fire in an on-base medical center.

Munley was shot in the exchange of fire but not before shooting Hasan four times. She was in stable condition after undergoing surgery, according to Lt. Gen. Robert Cone.

Special Section: Tragedy at Fort Hood

Cone described Munley as "one of our most aggressive police officers," during an appearance on CBS' "The Early Show".

"As he walked out of the corner of the building, she came upon him," Cone said.

Cone said Munley is doing well in the hospital and has "been talking to her friends on the phone."

Hasan, who was facing deployment overseas, was initially reported killed in the attack but he survived his wounds and is currently in stable condition in a civilian hospital. Officials are trying to piece together a possible motive for the attack, believed to be the worst ever at a U.S. domestic military debate.

More Coverage of the Tragedy at Fort Hood:

Hasan Likely "Lone Wolf," Officials Say
Hasan Reportedly Felt U.S. Attacked Islam
List of Fort Hood Dead, Wounded
Neighbor: Ft. Hood Suspect Packed Up Home
"Allahu Akbar": Hasan's Words as He Fired?
Mosques Up Security in Wake of Ft. Hood
Obama: Don't Jump to Conclusions
Hasan's Actions "Despicable," Family Says
Female Cop Hailed as Ft. Hood Hero
Store's Video May Show Ft. Hood Suspect
U.S. Army Base Violence Has Bloody History
Tragedy at Fort Hood

[mecanik-2009]

She did her job. Like every cop should have done in the same situation. Why did it take a civilian cop to take care of this. Why was'nt there MP's around to handle it. Would they have made such a big deal if this had been a male cop. I think not. And I would think this female cop would rather they not make such a big deal about it either. She did her job and she knows it and that should be the end of it.

[band3x]

Right! This is just sensationalism.

[atkinslivery]

"Well done Sgt. Munley" is the only thing that should be said and all the other comments I don't think are warranted? This police officer did the job expected of her and it was the greatest thing of all that she was there and responded so quickly. I hope her well in her recovery and there is not any doubt her actions saved the lives of many more, not to mention her four bullets leave this guy being paralyzed.....so if he lives....the actions he decided to take will haunt him for whatever time he has left on this earth! As for Sgt. Munley...I would think whatever job she is seeking in order to be with her husband won't be an issue for any police department in this country should and would happily provide such a transfer for her, don't you think?????

[erb0087]

It's only a matter of time before Hollywood pays justified tribute to Officer Kimberly Munley.

Jennifer Love Hewitt might be a natural for the starring role.

[band3x]

I was thinking McKenzie Phillips.

[erb0087]

"The cop is a hero? Why is she a hero?"

========================

Of course she's not a hero. Don't be silly.

She's a heroine.

[Sloughfoot]

"Female Cop Hailed as Ft. Hood Hero" - Makes better copy then "White male Officer saves downed female Officer and dispatches shooting suspect."

[hush_puppy]

Bravo Girl, you are pure American.

[missme4]

"Did your employer expect you to risk your life? Did you have to expose yourself to a killer's gunfire in order to get a pretty pathetic paycheck?"

Uhhh, no! I decided to learn a real trade instead of being and insurance companies puppet.

[SusanStoHelit]

The difference between a cop and a soldier. They're both great, in their own particular field of combat - but this is the type of combat a cop is trained to, where soldiers are trained for a very different type of combat. A cop would likely be pretty ineffective on a field of battle - but when it's a criminal, a madman shooting at people in a workplace - even a workplace with lots of guns - it took a cop! Good job.

[bigmo47]

Very true, as far as the situational training that cops and Soldiers receive. However, there weren't lots of guns at that location. Soldiers don't walk aroundon U.S. installations with their weapons. Unless they are participating in a training exercise, Soldiers are usually unarmed in Garrison. Had they been armed, this situation would have turned out a lot differently.

[hungry1968-17]

by Skirt-Lifter November 6, 2009 2:15 PM EST
I heard the guy isn't dead. He's probably pisssed that he's got 72 police and such surrounding him...not virgins!






How funny is it that he was shot and his rampage ended by a woman?!?!

Allah must be shaking his head in disgust over this moron!!

[atkinslivery]

Don't forget...he didn't get to his, what, 72 or whatever it is, virgins either!!!!

[bigmo47]

Officer Munley is definitely a Hero. She saved many lives yesterday and nearly lost hers in the process. My only gripe is the headline and many peoples reactins to this.

After all of these years I believe people will start seeing women as equals when we stop emphasizing the fact that they are a female. Had it been a guy, he would have been a hero as well. The headline should have read "Cop Hailed as Ft Hood Hero". I'm sure when people ask her what she does for a living, she doesn't respond "female cop". It's condescending to emphasize her gender as if those actions are unexpected from a woman.

Either way. She definitely deserves to be recognized for her bravery. Oh yeah, and for the people talking about she did her job; It is not a requirement for cops to run into gunfire to kill a shooter. They are to take cover and try to get a shot without exposing themselves. She couldn't do that so she chose to risk her life for the sake of others.

[SusanStoHelit]

We're not to that idealized place yet - "female cop" is a good thing, because the bigots still out there in large numbers would otherwise simply assume it had to be a man.

[bigmo47]

Soldiers don't walk around on U.S. installations with their weapons. Unless they are participating in a training exercise, Soldiers are usually unarmed in Garrison. Had they been armed, this situation would have turned out a lot differently.