We’ve seen it play out tragically time and time again. From Columbine to Margory Stoneman-Douglas to Uvalde: so many innocent lives lost to confusion, caution or flat-out cowardice.

When and where those who pledged to “protect and serve” did nothing of the sort. They waited outside, wondering what the best move was.

Or bustled around as if they were doing something to cover for the fact they were doing everything to do nothing because of their own fear.

A former Florida sheriff’s deputy has been arrested on felony charges over his handling of the deadly mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland last year.

Broward County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Scot Peterson, 56, was terminated from his position and charged with multiple counts of child neglect on Tuesday after an internal investigation found that he retreated while students were under attack in the February 2018 shooting, that left 17 people dead.

Some gathered en masse in their cowardice, and physically restrained those who would have faced the fire – and possibly saved lives – from doing so.

Shocking surveillance footage shows police standing in hallways—with one officer even taking a moment to put on hand sanitizer—as the Uvalde, TX, school shooting continued for more than an hour

(warning: distressing themes) pic.twitter.com/MGV3v6mSdJ

— NowThis (@nowthisnews) July 16, 2022

In fact, some of them ran at the sound of shots fired. Ran away.

It really was kind of starting to shake your faith in things. Were there any real cops left? Any real, toxically masculine men?

Yesterday’s horror in Nashville?

God bless these heroes. These MEN. They are still to be found.

Michael Collazo and Rex Englebert were the brave @MNPDNashville police officers who arrived at the school, ran to gunfire, and killed the trans murderer before she could kill more innocent people. They are heroes. Share their story widely instead of the killer’s name. pic.twitter.com/3XuBKZc9PG

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) March 28, 2023

The video – and you must watch it – is a masterclass in professionalism, methodically clearing a building, and unselfish, unhesitating heroism. As Ed noted in his post this morning, even school personnel played an important part, concisely briefing the arriving officers on what they knew had happened and where the situation stood at that moment. Well done, ladies. It had to be horrible for them, but they didn’t cower or leave the building – they did what had to be done. The Uvalde cops could learn from these ladies, as well.

As you will see watching this, ALL the team members, to a one, were focused on neutralizing the threat. They were moving in concert – constantly advancing through the school hallways and rooms, clearing each, and immediately on to the next. NONE of these guys was stopping for anything until it was over.

When they heard the shots, you hear, “It’s upstairs!” And off they go.

People are so removed from policework or small team tactics anymore, there were questions in the comments about what they’d just seen. They couldn’t understand this was a tightly controlled ballet, vice a black-clad mob shoving its way through the building.

Textbook. TOXIC. Lethal.

This video will hopefully be taught at police academies and in trainings for mass shooters. What a response by these heroes from Metro Police Nashville.

This further bolsters how cowardly officers were at Parkland and Uvalde. pic.twitter.com/SRHiLZha8M

— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) March 28, 2023

And thank God for them.

You see the phrasing here by the Metro PD – “part of the TEAM.”
Phenomenal officers. Phenomenal men.

MNPD Officers Rex Engelbert, a 4-year veteran, and Michael Collazo, a 9-year veteran, were part of a team of first responders to the Covenant campus Mon morning. They fired on the active shooter, who was killed. This is their body camera footage. https://t.co/17qsZM6bNp pic.twitter.com/g4b0nMTFRD

— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) March 28, 2023

…But the Consul’s brow was sad, and the Consul’s speech was low,
And darkly looked he at the wall, and darkly at the foe.
“Their van will be upon us before the bridge goes down;
And if they once might win the bridge, what hope to save the town?”
Then out spoke brave Horatius, the Captain of the Gate:
“To every man upon this earth, death cometh soon or late;
And how can man die better than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers, and the temples of his Gods…

…“Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, with all the speed ye may!
I, with two more to help me, will hold the foe in play.
In yon strait path, a thousand may well be stopped by three:
Now, who will stand on either hand and keep the bridge with me?’
Then out spake Spurius Lartius; a Ramnian proud was he:
“Lo, I will stand at thy right hand and keep the bridge with thee.”
And out spake strong Herminius; of Titian blood was he:
“I will abide on thy left side, and keep the bridge with thee.”
“Horatius,” quoth the Consul, “as thou sayest, so let it be.”
And straight against that great array forth went the dauntless Three…

~ Horatius at the Bridge
Thomas Babington McAulay

The revered, time-immemorial virtues of courage, honor, and determination were on full display at that little church school in Nashville, in all their toxic glory.

Any of these fine, courageous human beings would be on that bridge, at your side – be they 3 or 300 – keeping the barbarians at bay,

May the good Lord keep them safe and we are ever so grateful to them.

Not just for preventing worse carnage, but for restoring our faith once again – our faith that those things we hold dear and meaningful truly are, and that there are still heroes who will selflessly face sacrifice to safeguard them.

Bravo zulu, Metro Nashville PD.

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