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.

[Gscott8183]

I am a 65 year old male, and I am in agreement with bigmo47 that Officer Munley is a hero, for what was done was sorely needed and not required.
Any person performing this act would be a hero, and I am proud of her actions. Thank you.

I am also additionally proud of her choosing these needed actions being female. For we are all raised and trained differently and such reactions may not be unconsious responses, but pushing forward and doing the next best right thing I suggest was. Either sex is capable of such a reaction. Many others male or females would not have stepped forward, or would have thought it out first. either case would have produced more victims.

I will not judge how or why Officer Munley acted as she did, but I am glad and proud she was who God put there at that time.
Thank you officer Munley.

Gary Scott

[fedup12]

Are the military ppl on base not allowed to carry weapons? Any one person armed in that building could have ended this before 12 deaths and 30 wounded.

Good Job Officer Munley! No make that Great Job! No one knows how they will react in a situation like that until it is time. She acted with Bravery and Heroism. Heroism because she didnt run. She stood her ground when she could have just been a placekeeper. Shes got the stuff.

[SusanStoHelit]

Plenty of people were armed - this is the military. The shooter was shot 4 times - not all of them by this cop. However - as is always true - the shooter has the advantage - he has his gun out and is ready, where the victims were caught by surprise.

[Zann-Zel]

Kimberly Munley - a definate hero! Without her the number of people dead would have been even higher. She saved lives yesterday! Thank You! And Yeah this definately makes a Texas woman proud! : )

And all you people who have somehow found something bad to say about this woman being a hero..........um.....get some help! There is definately something wrong with you! : /

[mejordelahistoria]

so now the hero saves the day and we all go home happy........ I wonder who will act in the movie they will make from this incident, will it be will smith with a wig?

[hungry1968-17]

by missme4 November 6, 2009 2:53 PM EST
The cop is a hero? Why is she a hero? Because she is one of very few police that do the job they are expected by the public? I showed up to work today and did what I was expected by my employer. No gold stars for me. Nobody even bought me a donut.







Since you probably MADE the donuts, you should have grabbed one!

[SusanStoHelit]

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?

You are no hero. She is. She could have held back, called for reinforcements first, could have simply run.

[missme4]

"Since you probably MADE the donuts, you should have grabbed one!"


If I knew how to make donuts there would be plenty of police nearby to protect me.

[missme4]

"Getting yourself killed is not one of a Police officer's duties."

Believe it or not shooting a lunatic with a gun IS a cops duty. Any trained person who would have had a gun would have done the same in that situation.

[SusanStoHelit]

No - some would have called for reinforcements, some would have frozen, some would have run, some would have advanced carefully whereever they were sure they would not be shot.

Getting yourself killed is NOT one of a Police officer's duties. She could have held back, only gone for a shot if she was completely safe. She did not. She risked her life, and saved lives. That makes her a hero.

[rwsmith29456]

Way to go, Lady.

[bubbadubba]

I saved a guy's life on the street less than a year ago am I a hero? No.
I was co-pilot in a plane that was going down and helped the pilot get the plane back for an emergency landing, am I a hero? No.
I investigated a closed case and ended up getting someone charged and convicted for murdering their child, am I a hero? No.
I volunteered to fly MedEvac helicopters in an Army aviation unit, am I a hero? No.
I went out while trees were falling and saved a dog that was pinned under a tree that fell from an ice storm, am I a hero? No.
Now they are even calling dogs heros.
This hero garbage makes me laugh.
Actually the whole hero concept is ridiculous.

[ddog88]

I hope your not Muslim, you sound angry. I think you're a hero.

[bubbadubba]

She is no hero.
She should be proud she did her job and did it great and I am proud of her and admire her work ethic but that does not make one a hero.
If she had been an unarmed clerk who jumped the guy and took his gun away and shot him with his own gun to save another person's life she might be a hero.
How did America get to calling everyone a hero for doing what they are supposed to do?
What the heck is wrong with us?

[ddog88]

So you hate girls and like comic book fantasies-do you think Wonder Woman is a hero? She would have deflected the bullets with her bracelet and lassoed him with her rope. Please go back to XBox and let the adults talk.

[watercam]

Nobody knows how they will act under fire, except those who have acted under fire. She did what was necessary and got shot for doing it. She almost gave up her life in the efforts to save others. That is hero status to me. I wish her a strong and speedy recovery. P.S. I am not one who runs to the praise to cops on the knee jerk reaction. In this case hats off!

[lmartink]

Agreed. She got off 4 shots that hit the target. She obviosly stood her ground. Good for her.

I also agree that Police, for the most part, in this country are very disappointing. There are too many incidents of inappropriate behavior, brutality, arrogance, and asinine stupidity.

This makes her incident all the better. She is a hero.

[missme4]

The cop is a hero? Why is she a hero? Because she is one of very few police that do the job they are expected by the public? I showed up to work today and did what I was expected by my employer. No gold stars for me. Nobody even bought me a donut.

[Empire-George]

by missme4 November 6, 2009 2:53 PM EST

A hero, because she risked her life to put an end to the mass murder....she may have "done her job" by simply waiting for backup.

Getting yourself killed is not one of a Police officer's duties.

[missme4]

Any Chicago high school student should be considered a "hero" then. This is what cops are (used to be) paid to do. This is what soldiers are paid to do. Today's cops are just tax collectors and puppets for insurance companies. A hero is someone who goes above and beyond the call of duty. The cop shot a man with a gun. This article is just cheap sensationalism.