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Sheriff Reveals Heroic Actions of 6 Off-Duty Officers Who Were in Bar During Massacre

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Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean shared an account of the heroic actions of six off-duty police officers at the bar shooting in Thousand Oaks, California on Wednesday night, saying they used their own bodies to protect at least one of the young women on hand.

Ian David Long, a 28-year-old former Marine, allegedly opened fire at the Borderline Bar & Grill killing 11 patrons, as well as a Ventura County sheriff who responded within minutes to the scene. Long is believed to have taken his own life as law enforcement moved in.

Fox News reported that approximately 150 to 200 people were in the bar for “Country College Night.”

Dean told reporters on Thursday morning that there were at least six off-duty police officers who were in the Southern California night spot, just north of Los Angeles.

The sheriff said the officers were from multiple agencies and were unarmed at the time of the attack..

“I already talked to a parent who said, ‘They stood in front of my daughter,’ so it was amazing,” recounted Dean.

He and Sgt. Julie Novak with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department became emotional when talking about their colleague Sgt. Ron Helus, a 29-year veteran of the force, who was shot leading a group of three officers into the bar as gunfire rang out inside.

“He was totally committed. He gave his all, and tonight, as I told his wife, he died a hero because he went in to save lives,” Dean said.

Novak told “Fox & Friends” on Thursday that Helus could have retired a few years ago, “but he stayed on because he loved the fight.”

“He loved protecting people, and he did exactly that tonight by running into this building to save peoples’ lives where there were gunshots. He’s just nothing but a hero right now,” she added.

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California Gov. Jerry Brown recognized the heroism of Helus and the others in law enforcement in responding to the shooting.

“Our hearts ache today for the victims of this heinous act and our deepest condolences are with the Thousand Oaks community and those who lost friends and loved ones,” he said in a statement.

“We are grateful for law enforcement and others, including Ventura County Sheriff Sgt. Ron Helus, who took heroic action to save lives tonight,” Brown added.

Vice President Mike Pence tweeted condolences to those impacted by the shooting, and also commended the first responders who were at the scene.

President Donald Trump has ordered the flag to be flown at half staff at the White House and all public buildings “out of solemn respect for the victims.”

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Randy DeSoto has written more than 3,000 articles for The Western Journal since he began with the company in 2015. He is a graduate of West Point and Regent University School of Law. He is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths" and screenwriter of the political documentary "I Want Your Money."
Randy DeSoto wrote and was the assistant producer of the documentary film "I Want Your Money" about the perils of Big Government, comparing the presidencies of Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. Randy is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths," which addresses how leaders have appealed to beliefs found in the Declaration of Independence at defining moments in our nation's history. He has been published in several political sites and newspapers.

Randy graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a BS in political science and Regent University School of Law with a juris doctorate.
Birthplace
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated dean's list from West Point
Education
United States Military Academy at West Point, Regent University School of Law
Books Written
We Hold These Truths
Professional Memberships
Virginia and Pennsylvania state bars
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Entertainment, Faith




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