By Mike Simmons
On July 18, 1993, Pensacola News Journal Correspondent Cindy West wrote an article that told the tale of a man whose judgment came into question. Pensacola Police Officers Tommi Lyter and Mike McVicker were called to Lamplighter Apartments, 711 Underwood Avenue, about a man who was armed with badge (fake) and a gun (not fake) and was threatening people.
When the officers knocked on the door, the man opened it, armed with a .25 caliber handgun (don’t do that). Both officers identified themselves and told him to drop the gun. He looked at Lyter, who was in uniform and lowered his gun. Then he looked at McVicker, who was in plain clothes with his badge showing and pointed it him. Then he fired at the officers (don’t do that either).
The man was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital to have the three bullets removed and remained there in critical condition. When he was released, he went to jail.