Paratus Forty-Six

Seethe, grabbers! Seethe!

Anti-gun groups are losing their minds all over social media today and it's glorious. 🙌

Join the conversation on Gifford's page: https://www.facebook.com/GIFFORDS/posts/pfbid0gtmJrMQPRgn6W5SvqEKVWewe5jASiYyeLfkevNP6WJ4Gq1v5pRcFnhK1S9pYhawTl

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Creek County Sheriff's Office Announces the Line-of-Duty Death of Deputy Adam James Heitman

Sapulpa, Oklahoma – July 16, 2026

The Creek County Sheriff’s Office is deeply saddened to announce the line-of-duty death of Deputy Adam James Heitman, age 38.
On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, members of the Creek County Sheriff’s Office Task Force, Creek County Sheriff’s deputies, the United States Marshals Service, and the Muscogee Nation Lighthorse Police coordinated the apprehension of a wanted felon who was sought on multiple felony warrants and had recently assaulted a law enforcement officer while escaping custody.
Deputy Heitman was a member of the arrest team. During the operation, the suspect attempted to flee by jumping a fence, crossing a creek, and running through an open field. Deputy Heitman and his K-9 partner, Thanos, successfully pursued and apprehended the suspect, who was taken into custody without further incident.

Less than an hour after the arrest, while at the Creek County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Heitman suffered a medical emergency. Fellow deputies and Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers immediately rendered aid until emergency medical personnel arrived. Responders from Creek County EMS and the Sapulpa Fire Department performed extensive lifesaving measures before transporting Deputy Heitman to Ascension St. John Sapulpa Hospital. Despite the extraordinary efforts of first responders and medical staff, Deputy Heitman was pronounced deceased at 7:41 p.m.

Prior to joining the Creek County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Heitman served two years with the Kiefer Police Department and four years in the United States Marine Corps. During his military service, he served as a Team Leader with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines and deployed to Iraq. He served as a Reconnaissance Marine, Combat Instructor, and Weapons Instructor before being honorably discharged in 2010.

Deputy Heitman joined the Creek County Sheriff’s Office in 2022. During his tenure, he served as a patrol deputy and later as a K-9 handler alongside his partner, Thanos. Within months of joining the agency, Deputy Heitman was credited with saving the life of an overdose victim and was awarded the Sheriff’s Life Saving Award in recognition of his actions.

Deputy Heitman was a highly respected member of the Creek County Sheriff’s Office, the K-9 community, and the law enforcement profession. The respect and admiration he earned throughout his career were evident in the overwhelming response of law enforcement officers who gathered at the hospital and later escorted him to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
“Deputy Heitman exemplified courage, service, and dedication to others. He served his community, his fellow deputies, and his country with honor. His loss is immeasurable, and he will be profoundly missed by all who had the privilege of serving alongside him.”

Deputy Heitman is survived by his wife and two daughters.
Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced when they become available.

Did you know that you can buy trauma supplies with your HSA & FSA benefits? Many reputable online retailers/manufacturers like North American Rescue, Rescue Essentials, and TacMed Solutions all have HSA/FSA eligible items and kits available on their websites. For me, the perfect minimalist trauma kit to keep in the glove box, backpack, or desk drawer contains:
SOFTT-W or CAT
HyFin compact double chest seal set
OLAES 4-inch flat packed dressing (best available, IMO)
2 packs of NAR compressed Z-fold gauze
2 pairs of nitrile heavy duty gloves (anything but black)
Trauma shears

Don't lose your FSA money like you did last year. Spend it on something with a durable shelf life that might just save a life.

In a few very short years these guys went from a table at the end of an upstairs hallway to a literal presence on the SHOT exhibit floor. I'm proud to know these guys and many who've been there over the years. They continue to offer a product lineup short on fluff and long on function. This was also the show where I got to see and handle an early JSTA pouch. The acronym is Spiritus Systems

On Flock cameras:

"The corporate spy cameras are spying on me and there's no control over how the spying corporation uses the spy data." - People on the corporate spy device for which they pay exorbitant sums and into which they willingly enter their most sensitive information... to corporations... which sell their data

Unicorn Spiritus Systems NV-119 probably sewn in Adam's garage, with P210s, , and was my go to setup for summer Class B (polo) events a few years back. I still keep this setup prepped for wear on hot days when an outer carrier isn't required. I later had side pockets custom made for IIIA 5x9s by my friend .

Happy Independence Day, my fellow Americans.

"They have men amongst them who know very well what they are about...." - Lord Hugh Percy, 2nd Duke of Northumberland

Make Americans Riflemen Again

If you've ever tried to effect change at your organization and felt like your words fell on deaf ears, you're not remotely alone. The condition of being a prophet in your own land is as old as time.. it's at least as old as Plato. Understanding what you're up against is important. Here's a little reading assignment to help you on your way: Plato's "Allegory of The Cave" is essential reading on the road to understanding institutional resistance to change, especially when the change involves objective truth over assumption and perception. Happy reading.