Fort Hood officer's heroics 'no surprise'

• Article
• Comments ()
• Click-2-Listen
• Videos

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. (AP) | The stepmother of the civilian police officer who shot an Army psychiatrist suspected of opening fire on fellow soldiers said Friday the woman's heroics are not surprising.

Wanda Barbour told the Star-News of Wilmington that she knew Sgt. Kimberly Munley was involved when she heard a female police officer at Fort Hood had shot and wounded Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan.

"When they said a female officer, a little part of me just knew," Mrs. Barbour told the newspaper. "She is a very great person with a great spirit."

Officials said Sgt. Munley, 34, who was wounded, ended the crisis. She was recovering Friday in stable condition.

"We're just so grateful and thankful to the Lord that she's safe," Mrs. Barbour said. "Our hearts just ache for the loss of others, too, and hers, too. She's still upset about that."

Lt. Gen. Bob Cone said Sgt. Munley and her partner responded within three minutes of reported gunfire Thursday afternoon. Gen. Cone said Sgt. Munley shot the gunman several times despite being shot herself.

"She happened to encounter the gunman. In an exchange of gunfire, she was wounded but managed to wound him four times," Gen. Cone said. "It was an amazing and aggressive performance by this police officer."

Sgt. Munley is the daughter of Dennis Barbour, a former mayor of Carolina Beach, a coastal town about 15 miles south of Wilmington.

Wrightsville Beach Police Chief John Carey said Sgt. Munley, who worked for the force from 2000 to 2002 before moving away from the area, was a petite officer who worked well with others.

"She was a very personable officer. She got along good with everyone," he said. "She wasn't afraid of anything."