Special Forces soldier awarded for putting self in harm's way to assist local police officer
Story by David Chace
FAYETEVILLE, N.C. - The streets of Fayetteville, N.C., are a little safer thanks to the quick thinking and initiative of a recent Special Forces Qualification Course graduate.
Sgt. Valentin Birlean was assigned to the 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) awaiting transfer to the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Carson, Colo.
In mid-April, Birlean, his wife and son were enjoying their last weeks in Fayetteville before moving the family out west, and were driving down Cliffdale Rd. toward a local park when he noticed a police officer in need of assistance.
At an intersection, a Fayetteville police officer had conducted what seemed to be a routine traffic stop. The officer and the car’s owner stood nearby.
Suddenly, the owner of the car grabbed his backpack, which they’d been searching through, and started running down the road. The police officer attempted to chase after him, but was pushed onto the ground.
Birlean didn’t think twice; he threw his car into park, jumped out and chased after the man, who didn’t expect to have to compete with a Special Forces soldier who could run 5 miles in less than 37 minutes.
Even in flip-flops, it didn’t take Birlean long to catch up with and subdue the suspect.
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Special Forces soldier awarded for putting self in harm's way
While the Soldier should be commended for his selfless act, it begs the question, was it worth it?
ReplyDeleteThe government and the taxpayer have invested a lot of money to train this young man to be an excellent Soldier, clearly he is brave, capable, fit for duty. So what could have gone wrong? What if the suspect turned and pulled a concealed firearm or knife? Suddenly this story goes from "Suspect caught by Soldier in flip-flops" to "Soldier slain while chasing local pothead."
Is that risk worth apprehending a suspect with 388 grams of marijuana? They way it's used in the article, 388 sure does sound like a lot, but it's less than 14 ounces; street value likely under $5,000.
Again I don't mean to disparage, but the mathematics (training costs plus a young man's life vs. a low-level street bust) don't compute.
Also, per DA and DoD regs, Soldier should always be capitalized.