Published: May 02, 2008 02:50 pm            

High schoolers get fire power

EFFINGHAM — The highlight of Law Day observances in Effingham County always seems to be the chance for high school students to fire off rounds from an automatic weapon.

“It was my first time on an automatic weapon, and I thought it was cool,” said Beecher City High School senior Adam Evans. “I didn’t know what to expect.

“It was much better than shooting a shotgun,” Evans added.

Evans was one of 16 students from three Effingham County high schools participating in Law Day on the county level. Students from Beecher City, Altamont and Teutopolis high schools started out their day at Effingham County Sportsman Club shooting range before spending much of the rest of the day shadowing county officeholders on their daily rounds. The group also toured the Government Center courts building as well as met with County Board members.

Evans said it gives students the chance to break from their normal routine.

“It’s been pretty cool,” he said. “We get to talk to people we don’t normally talk to.”

The day began with a presentation by Sgt. Paul Kuhns, commander of the county’s Special Service Team. The unit was formed in 1998 and has been used in high-risk search and warrant situations, primarily when dealing with methamphetamine cooks.

“There’s no big mystique about the team,” he said. “Our biggest asset is the members who serve.”

Team members are selected from deputies who express an interest in tactical operations.

“They want to be part of a unit where everybody looks out for one another,” he said.

Despite the weaponry and protective gear used by the special team, Kuhns said his primary weapon is much more intangible.

“My biggest weapon is communication skills,” he said.

Kuhns told the students about a variety of weapons used by the team, including the M-16 machine gun and the MP-5 submachine gun. But he also talked about non-lethal weaponry such as beanbags, tasers and pepper spray.

Kuhns said the taser, which stuns the offender with an electrical shock, is particularly useful.

“It’s wonderful because it stops the fight,” he said.

Kuhns said his special unit usually takes about 45 minutes to assemble before going to its location. The officers take gear that includes a Kevlar helmet, stocking mask and bullet-resistant vest.

Teutopolis sophomore Jade Joergens said she signed up for Law Day to break her normal weekday routine.

“We get to get out of school for it, so me and my friend decided to do it and see what it was like.”

Participants from Altamont, Beecher City and Teutopolis were:

Altamont: David Delaney, Justin Durbin, Jenny Holland, Justin Heiden and Danny Delaney.

Beecher City: Hilary Shields, Nick Kline, Mitch White, Stan Baker and Adam Evans.

Teutopolis: Amy Nosbisch, Valerie Westendorf, Cody Clark, Chris Ludwig, Alex Kastl, Jade Joergens and Samie Anderson.

Bill Grimes can be reached at 347-7151 ext. 132 or bill.grimes@effinghamdailynews.com.