The carnage might have been even worse at Fort Hood, had it not been for civilian police officer Kim Munley. Upon arriving at the scene, she saw Hasan and started firing. Munley's boss said Hasan spun and charged her with a gun in each hand, but Munley was able to stop him with a shot to the torso. She was wounded as well.
Who is this woman? It turns out she's one of ours.
Linda Barbour found out about her daughter, Kim Munley's involvement in what happened at Fort Hood Thursday after her own mother saw a story about the shootings on WWAY. But it wasn't until early Friday morning that Barbour got to talk to Kim.
"Emotional. Very much like what I'm feeling right at the moment. I am thankful that she was alive and that she would get well,” said Barbour.
All of 5’ 3”; friends and coworkers said Munley packed the courage and bravery of a lion.
Wrightsville Beach police Chief John Carey said, "She was a very small in stature officer, but she was very brave."
"Kim acted very courageous, and she is a fine example of a law enforcement officer and the country should be proud to have law enforcement officers like her on duty," added Detective Shaun Appler.
Munley and Shaun Appler started with the Wrightsville Beach Police Department in 2000, and worked side by side for two years. Appler said Munley was always there when he needed her. He remembers a time she came to his rescue, just in the nick of time. "Together, with her help, we were able to subdue the suspect. After the fight was over, realized that my gun was actually on my back, and the suspect was going for my gun. I have to give Kim a lot of credit, she probably saved my life that night," he said.
A Hoggard High grad, Munley got her basic law enforcement training at Cape Fear Community College. After two years with Wrightsville Beach, she became a guard at New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
Born and raised in Carolina Beach, her family is still a big part of the Cape Fear region. Her dad, Dennis Barbour, used to be mayor of Carolina Beach, and owns and operates True Value Island Tackle.
Her mom works for the Cape Fear chapter of the American Red Cross, which helped her get in touch with Kim after the shooting.
Munley's friends and family are proud of their hometown hero. Now their priority is making sure she recovers, after the tragic events at fort hood.
"She is an everyday hero, and she's my daughter. I am very, very proud of her," Barbour said.
Kim Munley's mom, Linda Barbour told WWAY she was able to speak with her daughter late Thursday night.
Right now, Munley's father is on his way to Texas. Munley is in stable condition at a hospital in the Fort Hood area.
jj You sound like someone
jj You sound like someone that likes to jump on bandwagons. By the way her partner is SGT.Mark Todd an African American male who by the way may have kept Kim from being #14
Do you have a problem with an African American male saving a white female officer, I don't. Thanks Mark and thanks to you also Kim.You both deserve the same accolades that the media are trying to put on just one of you.
S/F ROGER FLEMING
To jj. The fact that she
To jj. The fact that she is a woman/female Police Officer has absolutely nothing to do with anything. As I said before it took both of them to tango with this idiot,Kim and her partner SGT. Mark Todd.
I did not watch Opra but you need to read clevenative, 11-12-09, 12:57pm, then put down what you think
I STILL ADMIRE HER RELENTLESS TENACITY.
S/F ROGER FLEMING
Hero
Maybe, you should look up the word Hero in the Dictionary...
Hero
noun, plural -roes; for 5 also -ros.
1. a man/woman of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his/her brave deeds and noble qualities.
2. a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal: He was a local hero when he saved the drowning child.
3. the principal male character in a story, play, film, etc.
4. Classical Mythology. a. a being of godlike prowess and beneficence who often came to be honored as a divinity.
b. (in the Homeric period) a warrior-chieftain of special strength, courage, or ability.
c. (in later antiquity) an immortal being; demigod.
I think she falls perfectly under items 1 and 2.
So she is a HERO and yes she was doing her job. Anyone who puts their own life in danger to protect others are HEROS to me...
Great job
So who is the hero?
The young, muscular lifeguard who leaps into rough surf and saves a child caught in a strong riptide....
....or the forty-seven year-old, overweight accountant on vacation from Goldsboro who leaps into rough surf and saves a child caught in a strong riptide?
I was raised and always believed that being a hero involved a degree of VOLUNTARY action, having the courage to face danger that you were under no obligation to face.
EXACTLY MY SENTIMENTS
I agree 100% that in this case the TRUE HERO would be the overweIght man jumping in. I do not think anyone doing what anyone WOULD DO UNDER THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES...OR DOING THAT WHICH WOULD BE REQUIRED OF THEM OR THAT THEY HAVE BEENT RAINED TO DO - WHICH IN THIS CASE WAS shoot the person coming at you because you can..SHOULD BE LABLED A HERO. SHE WAS THERE AT THE RIGHT TIME TO TAKE THE ACTION EXPECTED OF HER. I FIND IT FUNNY I HEARD NOTHING ON THE NEWS ABOUT THIS BLACK MAN UNTIL OPRAH WINFREY 'EVENED OUT THE PLAYING FIELD" I'M GETTING SO I CANT STAND HER. SHE IS SO RACIST SOMETIMES IT SEEMS.
Heroes
They all are heroes. Just because someone is paid to do a job doesn't mean they cannot be a hero. She had a choice and took actions. She could as well decide to take cover and tried to talk him into putting down the gun. Then she would not have to hear people like you say "Well, she was doing what she is paid to do". I am surprised that some of you are not complaining about her shooting him.. Is that next?
I think each soldier out on the battle field are Heroes... Why because they are protecting us.
Here is the biggest question I would ask. What would you have done? How many times could you have been someone's Hero, but you didn't want to get involved.. I think you need to look at the directory again.. Just in case you missed it, here it is again..
1. a man/woman of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his/her brave deeds and noble qualities.
Where does it say if they are doing a job they do not qualify?
I truly admire her for her brave deeds............
I admire her as well
I've said several times that she did a great job. I just think the term "hero" is misapplied when describing a person doing a job that inherently requires courage unless they go well above and beyond that which is expected of them.
But I can't see that she "had a choice." It was her sworn duty, a requirement of her job. How could anyone of character, with even a hint of ethics and any concept of moral obligation fail to respond to that call? In that light, her GREATEST act of courage was putting on a shield and raising her arm to take the oath.
Raining on the Munley parade
After watching Oprah from the comfort of my bed I nearly spit out my mouthful of perfectly decanted Merlot when Munley's fellow officer said he shot, knocked down and grabbed the gun of Hasan, the alleged shooter. Not only was he never really mentioned before in the press, but he was an African American.
As the news goes, spotlight the white gal and shove the person of color into the background. What is interesting here is eye witnesses say Munley never fired her gun. It was Sgt. Mark Todd who brought down the alleged shooter and not Munley.
Is Munley our next Private Jessica Lynch, remember how the media was at regurgitating the official military line without question about her capture in Iraq in 2003 — that she emptied her weapon in a "Rambo-like performance" that led to her wounding and capture — differed with the truth. She was hurt in a vehicle accident and was well cared-for by Iraqis.
What's wrong with having an African American saving the life of not only the soldiers but of his fellow officer Munley? Think about it, after Hasan shot Munley he went to reload, don't ya think he was about to finish her off when that African American shot him, knocking him down?
And what about the soldier that pulled people from harms way? Pfc. Marquest Smith, a black man, while under fire, quickly grabbed the civilian worker who’d been helping with his paperwork, made a run for it with her taking two other soldiers with him, he made it out of the Soldier Readiness Processing center — only to plunge into the building twice more to help the wounded.
clevenative/Munley
This has nothing to do with Ms. Munley......Cleve.....John/Goat has passed away......My heart is broken....How is your heart? He was a great friend....I really donot think that you care....You are heartless.....Enjoy your sorry life....you loser
Hero
Just a comment: If she was a man would there be any doubt she earnrd the moniker "hero"?
Please everyone, show some respect
I know some may not consider Sgt. Munley a hero. Personally I do, however to each their own. But please everyone, have some respect for her. She is still sitting in the hospital recovering from three gun shot wounds one of which could have proven fatal. And if you know Sgt. Munley you would know that she does not consider herself a hero. But along with all the other wounded she is dealing with a long road ahead of her. And it isn't just her that has to go through that pain, her family must deal with it as well. I think we can all do without the negativity right now so please, whether or not you think of her as a hero or not... some of the comments that are being left could be kept to yourselves. Thank you.
I agree with almost
I agree with almost everything you stated Guest-461, but you are leaving out her partner just like everyone else. If it were not for Kim's partner she may have have been #14,who knows. Right now everyone is running on emotion's and he said, she said. One thing that you can be sure of is that the public will be the last to find out the truth. With that said I'm sure that you have mirrors in your house so when you want to see a real horses rear end feel free to look into one of them anytime. S/F ROGER FLEMING
Blog
Roger, If you want to start a blog about her Partner, then go ahead. This one is about her.. I think the problem here is the fact that she is a woman Police Office. If it was about a man then everything would be OK.
memorial service
I pray that the hospital staff are making Mr Hasan watch this memorial service today.
This young woman is for sure
This young woman is for sure a credit to all who wear a badge. She is about as close to a hero as any have been in a long time. Let's see if she has the grace and poise to move on and decline the publicity, appearances and "book deals" that are sure to follow.
Hero?
First, let me say that her actions were outstanding. I have not encountered even one person who would disagree with that. I'm thankful for people like her, and I'm thankful she was there, and I'm also grateful that her actions helped bring the madness to an end.
Second, I wonder what the collective definition of hero is. We use the term for our law enforcement officers, firefighters, men and women who serve in our nation's military, etc. I will ALWAYS agree that what these folks do for all of us is an amazing job that truly requires special people willing to do extraordinary things. That being said...I'm having trouble calling doing one's job "heroic." My wife is a police officer. I am a firefighter. We both love what we do. We both also trained extensively for our jobs. When we go to work, we perform our duties, just as anyone else who goes to their own job. I don't think doing what we've been trained to do makes us heroes. It makes us good employees, and it makes us faithful public servants.
Thank you
I am so glad she was there regardless of what some may think. I was stationed there and left in January. I didn't know any of them that died, but I am thankful that she was brave - and the others too, that came to my fellow comrads' aid. I would like to say a big thank you, to her. Let's not forgot the dead and wounded, keep them in your prayers and remember them this Vetern's Day. It's so sad, no one deploying thinks about dying before getting shipped off. I have the deepest sympothy for them - remember them. They/we find, and no one seems to care, a lot of the time, we are degraded and treated unfairly, but a lot of people don't know that. Stand by them, all of them. Please show them that even after all these years that you are still there for them. -Amanda
I sincerely hope she will
I sincerely hope she will accept the well wishes and "tag" of hero that she has earned, and just be gracious enough to not accept a lot of publicity, tv appearances, book offers, as all this will cheapen the whole effect. A true hero will go on with their daily lives and duties without all this. I hope this does not go the route of that little gal soldier driving the truck that made a wrong turn and almost got a lot of others killed.
COME ON PEOPLE, LET THE
COME ON PEOPLE, LET THE FACTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELF'S. REMEMBER SHE HAD A PARTNER WHILE THIS CATASTROPHE WAS UNFOLDING. DID SHE DO A GOOD JOB A+, WERE HER DEEDS HEROIC I WOULD HAVE TO SAY YES. BUT REMEMBER IT TOOK BOTH OF THEM TO TANGO WITH THIS IDIOT AND NOT MUCH HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT HER PARTNER. ALSO THE MEDIA WAS THE ONE THAT STUCK HER WITH BEING A (HERO).
S/F ROGER FLEMING
proud fellow officer and soldier
I served in the US Army and I am now a police officer...I know what that Army post is going through because during DS1, 7 from my brigade gave their life...today is for grief...tomorrow is resolve...as a police officer, I am proud of the way both of these officers did their job and yes they are heroes because they were willing to give their life...
...facts speak for themselves?
The FACTS are:
She was in the right place at the right time.
She responded to a psychotic lunatic that was shooting and killing our soldiers for no reason.
She bravely, quickly and accurately put it to an end. PERIOD!
She most likely saved a lot of other souls in that catastrophe...in short order.
She completely sacrificed her own well being to take out a man that for some reason thought he had some sick, mis-guided right to kill his fellow soldiers.
NOBODY "stuck her" with being a hero except for the soldiers she saved and the appreciative American people that are able to recognize extreme bravery.
SHE is a HERO and it has nothing to do with a media label...for once. No "buts" about it!!!!
These are the FACTs and they easily speak for themselves, so S/F Roger Fleming...sit down and don't make a bigger horses hind end out of yourself!!!
Isn't it nice to have a REAL hero!!!
This is what being a HERO is all about!!!!
She didn't have to throw a football, hit a baseball, dunk a basseball, sing a song or even do the moonwalk...
We finally have a real Hero that did a spectacular, selfless act to save others!!!
Is there anything we can do
Is there anything we can do to show our appreciation towards this brave woman and her family? Donation to the Red Cross or USO? What do you think?
Appreciation
I think the best way to honor her is to get out and vote in the next local election and elect politicians who will actually budget a reasonable amount of money that will go toward hiring and training our local police officers and providing them with much needed resources.
Munley doing her job
Since when is doing your job considered heroic? She is paid to do just what she did, attack a crazy man with a gun. This isn't one of those "Let's roll!" moments in history. It is a cop doing her job, nothing more, nothing less. Way to earn your money Officer Munley, good job.
go get one
Go get a job and then come comment on how others do theirs!
Come on
Come on do you really believe that. Taking a bullet and continuing to fire and still be able to hit the target is just everyday average work. If it makes you feel better to downplay others accomplishments to make yours seem more valuable then ok.
She did her job
She did her job and shooting the victim of religious persecution who went off the deep end was an act of self defense. She is not a hero, a hero does something heroic. Its like calling a heart surgeon a hero for putting a stint in someone's artery.
You don't have room to talk
I'll try once again and see if the wway Gestapo will post me. If you ever do something productive you will then be allowed to comment on how another does their job. Religious persecution? Really? So that justifies killing 13 and wounding another 42?
HERO
First off, I think she is a HERO. That being said. Her not being called a Hero is your opinion, to the majority of us it's a fact.
The 'Terrorist' was not being persecuted for his religous beliefs. He was in a position to help soldiers and their families but instead, he went on a killing spree. So, Yes, She is a Hero for stopping him.
You said, "Its like calling a heart surgeon a hero for putting a stint in someone's artery." Hey stupid, The surgeon is a hero to the person he operated on and their family.
She was doing her job because if she didn't more people would have been killed. Her responding to the incident was not an act of self defense. It was an act of stopping this terrorist from claiming more victims.
Her responding to the incident....
...was her doing her job.
She is a trained law enforcement officer, and returning fire while under fire is what she is trained for and is expected of her. She did her job well, but she is not a hero and likely doesn't think of herself as one. People who DO this sort of work rarely think of themselves as someone special.
As The U.S. Air pilot who ditched in the Hudson River said, when people started calling him a hero, "I was just doing the job I trained for, and continually train for."
Plus, both he and this officer were, in the truest sense of the word, saving their on lives along with others.
Now I fully admit that the first time under fire is terrifying (the second and third aren't much better), so she did great...but a hearty "Well done" is more fitting than being praised as a hero. It dillutes the value of the word and pretty soon everyone is a hero.
Her responding to the incident....
Obviously you do not know what a hero is. A real hero is the person simply doing their job that goes that one step beyond, which clearly this officer did. In my 20 years in the Navy I knew many people that were hero's but would not even consider themselves that way.
I disagree with your common statement, "Common..."
With your usual condescending and demeaning attitude towards others, you again attempt to belittle and bemoan another great human effort. We all understand that this is how you support your self-serving, greater than thou, narcissitic personality needs.
The value of the word "HERO" has been diluted for many years, for naming people such as O.J. Simpson as a "fallen football hero" and Michael Jackson as a music "HERO" even though he preferred little boys. This is where dilution has occurred, just because a little talent was provided to the public...nothing at all heroic about any of them.
This little gal stepped up to the plate and knocked the ball out of the park, just as well as the U.S. Air pilot did. I doubt they want to be recognized as heros as they did the best they could with the resources at hand at that given time. They kept their cool, didn't panic and saved a lot of lives!
THAT...is a HERO! I don't care who you are or where you're from!
Oh...and yes...by the way, Superman, The Invisible Man and Wonderwoman were superheros, but remember, in comic book fashion only.....right?
Okay, so you disagree with me
So what?
Let me give you some examples of what I consider true heroes....
Richard Krauss, USMC. Went above and beyond - threw himself on a grenade to protect his platoon mates. Obviously not his job.
Mike Evans, an electrician from Oklahoma. Dove into freezing water to swim out and save an elderly man who had driven his car into a pond. Obviously not his job.
Michael Keenan of San Francisco, an artist who ran into a burning building to rescue a dog and was seriously burned while doing it. Obviously not his job. Years earlier he dove into San Francisco bay and rescued a woman whose husband had driven into the bay. Not his job then, either.
Do we see a trend here? Risking their life when it ISN'T expected? When it ISN'T their sworn duty? When they could, with a clear conscience, walk away from the situation or just stand by and watch because it's just too dangerous?
Pal, I've been there. I've been called a "hero" when I was simply doing my job and saving my own butt. It's embarrassing.
You can accuse me of any IMAGINARY crime you wish, but I said that she did a great job and deserved a hearty "well done," didn't I?
Yes, I did.
So much for demeaning and condescending.
I suppose we all have our opinions...
I'm not going to beat a dead horse here, my opinion is stated as well as your's "Common...". We've all seen and read your posts claiming that you've not only done everything there is to do, but have done it bigger, done it better, done it louder and done it prouder. You have overcome the challenges of education, welfare and societal sandbagging. I'm surprised that you didn't tell us you were all of the "Hero's" you mention above ten times over, sort of like a "Forrest Gump". These folks you mention above are heros as well and maybe you're in that category somewhere in your fantasies.
The fact is...I'm personally extremely proud of officer Munley and her innate "civilian" ability to run to the rescue of US Army personnel under direct fire by one of their own while on the largest US Army installation in the United States. She is a civilan police officer, not an MP.
Beating a dead horse
Guest461 that is exactly what you are doing and I wouldn't waste anymore of your time. People like Common are unhappy and no matter what he says, he is judgemental and opinionated to make himself feel better.
What a hoot!
I think it's pretty funny that while I was only one of several folks who stated that the officer was doing her job, the anti-Common crowd decides to play armchair psychoanalyst. I should pay you guys for all the attention.
Judgmental?
What did I say about her other than she did a great job and deserves a hearty "well-done?" Is saying that a BAD thing?
Unhappy?
Impossible! You guys make my day, every day!
But yes, on other postings I'm judgmental simply because there are SOOOOO many people on this website trying to justify idiotic, self-destructive behavior...
...and I'm opinionated because when you analyze ALL the facts, my opinions are usually spot-on logical. N.B......LOGICAL, not politically correct, not what's in vogue right now, and not gushy-emotional.
You guys have just GOT to get over the spankings you got in the past!
..and your two posts clearly indicate...
..that I could say fire is hot and you'd take issue with it.
Half of both your posts clearly indicate that your main problem has nothing to do with my definition of "hero." You are obviously driven to distraction by my views regarding individual responsibility and self reliance.
Always happy to tick off you sob-sister enablers who find life such a challenge...
...I only hope that you'll enjoyed a life half as interesting and rewarding as mine has been so far.
As expected, you display your classic form....
"Common...", you couldn't have made my points any clearer......
Thank you!
The fighting Sgt.
Running at the muzzle of a 9mm pistol shooting at you! Not a hero? The Sgt; did not give her self that title, the press did, I for one will second that discription.
The sound of a 9mm you are fireing, with ear protection, muzzle pointed away! That's loud.
A 9mm pointing at you, watching the muzzle flash from the front! The bang of the disscharge, aimed at you, bullets striking you, and still engaing a mad man! Front sight press! Incredible.
Yep! She did great...
....she did exactly what she was supposed to do.
For those of you who don't think the word "hero" is overused, did you catch Obama's speech from Fort Hood?
According to him, the victims who were shot are all heroes too!
Now, it's highly likely that some of them were attempting truly heroic acts while they were shot, but others were simply standing in line or sitting at their desk. One guy described being shot in the butt. (Not exactly "charging to the sound of the guns,"...but he was unarmed and no one can fault him for heading for the hills.)
But the word "hero" is being bestowed upon everyone? Getting shot made them heroes?
Do we know what a true hero is any more?
The word "hero" gets thrown
The word "hero" gets thrown around much too loosely, but in this case it truly does apply.
I've always said that
I've always said that Carolina Beach girls were tough. Great work, Kim, you're truly a hero and we appreciate you.
Kim Munley
Being a mother, I can feel the pride your parents are feeling now, along with the sense of relief, you are alive and will recover. Working directly with law enforcement officers, that is a great fear as a 911 operator to hear those words, "Officer Down". So Many people were impacted with your willingness to put your life on the line to save others along with your partner. I commend you and as an American Citizen, also a North Carolinian. We in NC are very proud of you. My prayers go out to you and the victims who were injured or killed.
Thanks Munley
Way to go girl! You should have had one more well-placed shot.
Go Vikings!
In true Viking and Cape Fear Spirit!
Thanks Kimmy!
You're our hero!
Home Girl.!!
President Obama is saying do not "rush to judgement" on the Muslim murderer on why he did it....I seem to recall he once called the police "stupid" before he got the facts.Any how I am proud of this girl,one of us.She ranks up there with Sully
Thank you Kim
Too many times we set others up as heroes - celebrities, athletes, etc. but people like Kim are real heroes. Those that put their lives on the line for others - that is a hero. I don't know Kim and her family, but to all of you - you have been blessed with a young lady that is not only serving her country, but is willing to spare her life for others. Thank you and God bless you!!!!!!!!
hero
Wade Griffis... a tacky attempt to piggy back on a heroes endeavors. Let the public show their gratitude to this Hero without your views on the conflicts abroad. You just had to have your Kayne West moment.. shame on you wade.
Hero
Guest average Joe: You missed my whole point.
I did do a poor job of trying to illustrate it.
I was trying to say that since many heros are women, we should get rid of the archaic term "heroine."
This woman is a hero. I honor and totally support her.
By the way, I use my real name and everybody in downtown knows where to find me. What about you?
Never mind. This is about a heroic woman who saved lives!