Norman Police Department's Pistol Team demonstrated top levels of marksmanship during the Dale DeBerry Memorial Regional and Oklahoma State Championships in Police Pistol Combat, PPC, Competition held in Norman, Aug. 13-15.

More than 55 current and former law enforcement officers from local, state and federal agencies took part. Competitors came from all over Oklahoma, Texas, Mississippi and Colorado to participate in the 2 1/2 day event. The Police Pistol Combat matches involve shooting for accuracy from distances of 3,7,15, 25 and 50 yards under various time limits and shooting positions.

Several members of the Norman Police Department's Pistol Team secured multiple first and second place finishes within their classifications. Those members were Det. Chris Amason with three first places and one second place; MPO Josh Barker with one first place and one second place; MPO Brent Barbour with one first place and two second places; MPO Will Crews with one first place and three second places; Lt. Blake Green with one first place and two second places; Rangemaster Shon Elroy with one second place; Det. David King with one second place; Lt. Eric Lehenbauer with one first place and three second places; PO Teddy Wilson with two second places; MPO Robert Wasoski with 13 first places and four second places; and MPO Harold Nicholson (Ret) with one second place.

The Governor's Twenty Program recognizes the top 20 competitors from Oklahoma that competed in the Oklahoma State PPC Championship. The Norman Police Pistol Team had eight members earn this recognition: C. Amason, Barbour, Barker, Crews, Elroy, Green, Lehenbauer and Nicholson (Ret).

Pistol Team members would like to thank Dr. Gabe Nabors of the Dental Lodge for his sponsorship of this year's Norman Police Pistol Team.

The Police Pistol Combat Competitions, PPC, are an extension of the police officer's training. The National Rifle Association created PPC competitions in 1960. "The intent of PPC competitions is to provide police officers with a competitive program which will improve their skill and competence" according to the NRA's law enforcement Web site: www.nrahq.org/law/competitions/competitions.asp.