On Sunday, August 22, the Reno Gazette Journal published a cartoon featuring Mr. Gammick.

As shown, the title is “GAMMICK, PISTOL PACKIN’ D.A.”.  It shows him making a traffic stop in his County owned vehicle, with his hand on his gun, making the statement, “THESE TRAFFIC STOPS ARE BETTER THAN SEX!!”

A little man in the corner notes, “Durin’ election season, he’s confinin’ his ‘derring do’ to the courthouse….”

While it is a cartoon, it includes valid reminders:

(1) Mr. Gammick has continually made traffic stops which are absolutely illegal,

(2) while he has (perhaps) halted them during the elections season, if he were re-elected he would undoubtedly resume his illegal activity,

(3) Mr. Gammick’s statement that “verdicts are better than sex” is an issue that will haunt the convicted murderer-rapist James Biela/victim Brianna Dennison (and two other young female victims) case throughout the appeals, probably leading to the overturning of the case, and

(4) his acts of “derring do” are extremely dangerous, being done by a man with multiple bypass surgery, a pacemaker and hearing aids, a scenario which could easily lead to deaths of innocent persons.

Roger also has five years of police experience, but at 6′4″ tall is a much bigger man than Mr. Gammick, who is perhaps 5′6″ tall.  Roger has run 10 marathons, an ultramarathon and countless lesser runs, and he would never make these traffic stops.  Not only are they illegal, they are dangerous in the extreme.

Police officers are highly trained individuals, who must continually update their backgrounds in the use of weaponless defense, tazers, pepper spray, batons and other equipment.  They have personal radios to call for help.  Mr. Gammick is a ”senior citizen” under Nevada law.  His police “training” lapsed decades ago.  Police, the NHP and other uniformed officers who are the only ones equipped by law and by training to conduct this activity.  While plainclothes officers (with up to date training) will make stops in unusual events, police discourage this due to its extreme danger.  Further, police understand that the public is uncomfortable enough when being stopped by those in uniform.  When citizens are stopped by someone in an unmarked vehicle, it could be anyone.  Women need to be especially careful.  A rapist could use a red light to commit his crime.  The public deserves better.