Sgt. Rick Wheeler of Polk County Sheriff’s Department quickly walks down the hallway, loud pops ring in his ears as he makes his way to a room with a killer inside. His goal: neutralize the shooter before anyone is hurt – or at least that’s what he was training for in a prepared simulation Friday, June 18, at Haralson County High School.

Sgt. Wheeler was the first officer to walk the training course in an exercise that was part of an Active Shooter course, which was organized and hosted by the Tallapoosa Police Department in an effort to prepare area officers for possible violent situations. Officers from area city and surrounding county departments were all welcome to take part in the day-long course.

Read the story from The Tallapoosa Journal by Amy K. Lavender