Mass violence
October 16, 1991
The 1991 Luby’s Shooting
A familiar dress and hair color turned an officer’s search for ammunition into a private terror.
Killeen, Texas A first-person account from the Police Chaplain Project oral-history archive.
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THE ACCOUNT
Chaplain Terry McDonald remembers an officer who crawled over a victim resembling his wife without knowing whether it was her. McDonald remained composed through the response and broke down only when he reached his wife’s arms at home. Years later, he continued to advocate training before the next call.
“Just be ready…because you never know when the next one’s coming.”Chaplain Terry McDonald
WHAT THIS DAY TAUGHT
Lessons to carry forward
Personal triggers can hide inside the scene
A resemblance, name, object or location may connect the event to a responder’s family. Debriefing should leave room for private associations that an incident log will never show.
Composure needs a safe endpoint
McDonald held his emotions during the work and released them at home. Temporary containment can serve the mission; permanent suppression compounds the injury.
Recovery may include chosen return
He later went back to eat at the reopened restaurant. Such acts may help some people reclaim a place, but the timing and meaning belong to the individual.
Train before readiness is tested
McDonald urged chaplains to learn critical-incident support in advance. A credential alone does not prepare someone to facilitate a trauma-informed conversation.
THE FIELD BRIEF
For the next command meeting
Before
- Complete recognized critical-incident training.
- Know your own triggers and support people.
- Prepare for events involving multiple family members.
During
- Stay regulated enough to serve safely.
- Notice personal associations without forcing disclosure.
- Know when to hand care to another responder.
After
- Create a private place for the helper’s emotions.
- Allow self-directed rituals of return or closure.
- Revisit reactions when later events reactivate the memory.
Use this page to open a tabletop conversation. Adapt every action to local policy, incident command and the needs of the people involved.
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