Legally Blind Gun Instructor Fourth All-Star Finalist

Deputy David James is a firearms instructor, a defensive tactics instructor and a driving instructor.  He is also legally blind.  In March of 1990, Dep. James was severely injured in the line of duty, robbing him of his sight in one eye, impairing vision in the other and destroying his kidneys.  Despite his devastating injuries, Dep. James returned to duty as a training instructor.  He uses his first-hand experience to train new recruits and veteran officers alike and has been an instructor for 16 years.  AMW, together with Sprint Nextel, are pleased to honor Dep. James as the fourth weekly All-Star finalist. His grateful community, local television and newspapers all rallied around Dep. James to get the word out to vote for him.

On a rainy day in March of 1990, Deputy James was dispatched to a disturbance call involving a juvenile. When he arrived on the scene, James walked back to open the trunk of his patrol car.  As he donned his rain gear, a juvenile approached and without warning, opened fire. 

"The first shot was in the left eye," Dep. James said.  "I lost my left eye and vision in the right eye. And then he shot me four more times in the back."

After a challenging recovery which included the transplant of a kidney donated by his mother, Dep. James returned to duty at the sheriff's training center. "I know he's saved lives through his instruction and direction," comments Taryl Elim, the colleague who nominated James for the All-Star Award. Although his kidney is now failing and he is in need of a new transplant, James remains upbeat and positive according to colleagues.  He constantly reminds them of his mantra -- "get busy livin' or get busy dyin'".

Nominate your favorite first responder.  Then, each week for eight weeks, you can vote among the nominees for a weekly All-Star winner. The eight weekly winners will be finalists for the 2007 AMW All-Star vote in May. Our 2007 AMW All-Star will win $10,000 and an All-Star weekend at the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series™ All-Star Challenge