Dad and two of
my uncles were police officers when I was born, an explanation, perhaps, for
my affinity with firearms. I don't remember firing my first shot, Mom said
I was about five at the time, but I do remember winning my first rifle match
at age twelve. First prize was a spotlight that clamped to the handlebars
of my bicycle. Numerous matches over the years produced other prizes and
trophies, but I'm most proud of becoming a Lifetime Master in pistol
competition and earning a position on the Florida State Pistol Team.
Members of the 1967 Florida
State Pistol Team at the National Matches—Camp Perry, Ohio.
The pistol team was made up of the top two
civilian shooters and the top two police shooters as judged from scores
fired at four pistol matches held across the state of Florida: Tampa, Miami,
Jacksonville, and Pensacola. Viewed from left to right: a civilian shooter
from Miami; Jerry Lynch of the St. Petersburg Police Department; Leonard
Kagey of the Pinellas Park Police Department; Bob Burdick, a civilian
shooter from St. Petersburg.
SHOOTING AWARDS
Lifetime Master
Distinguished Expert
Certified Pistol
Marksmanship Instructor
Certified Rifle
Marksmanship Instructor
Certified Shotgun
Instructor
- Advanced Pistol Marksmanship Course
- given by the United States Army
Marksmanship Training Unit
- Life Member
- National Rifle Association
