Preparing for the worst

From left, Granite Falls police officers, T. Benning, Student Resource Officer A.R. Travis, A. Chester and M. Tackett practice clearing classrooms during an active shooter drill at Granite Falls Middle School on Aug. 5, 2025.

A shotgun blast echoes through the halls of Granite Falls Middle School. The smell of gun powder penetrates its way through hall and into each classroom.

Police officers, with weapons at the ready and donned in kevlar armor rush through the front doors, unaware of where the shooter is located, nor how many casualties they will find inside.

The Granite Falls Police Department practiced its rapid deployment training at Granite Falls Middle School on Aug. 5.

This was the first time the police department has practiced an active shooter drill in two years. Police officers receive the training during Basic Law Enforcement Training but further training in rapid deployment varies on each department. Consistent training in rapid deployment ensures that emergency personnel and school officials can react quickly and work together effectively if an incident were to occur.

Sgt. Clint Ferguson says that he hopes to get his officers to practice rapid deployment drills once to twice a year in the future.

“We gotta let the people know we’re training, you know, because their kids go to school here, and we’re gonna do it at least once, probably twice a year, because it only takes a couple hours,” Sgt. Ferguson said, “Once you have the basics, it doesn’t matter how big the building is, it’s all the same.”

Between 2020 to 2024, the FBI estimates that there were 223 active shooter incidents across the United States, according to 2024 FBI report. Within those shootings, there were 13 active shooter incidents in education buildings. In 2024 alone there were 13 shootings in education buildings, with an average police response time of 1 minute 48 seconds.

Ferguson ran the training, instructing officers on room clearing, communication and other skills necessary when responding to an active shooter.

“It’s important for us and the teachers and staff, because just like today, they learned that their system works that’s put in place and then it’s just good communication so we’re on the same page,” Sgt. Ferguson said.

Principal Chris Ackerman, right, instructs police officers on the school's layout on Aug. 5, 2025..

Granite Falls police officer M. Tackett covers the hallway during the active shooter drill on Aug. 5

Granite Falls Police Department officers M. Tackett, right, and T. Benning, left, secure the hallway

GFPD Capt. Rick Lail, left, playing the role of active shooter, raises his hands during the drill.

A shotgun lays on the ground after the active shooter drill on Aug. 5, 2025.

The police department plans to run a second session of its training at the middle school Thursday.

“Overall, Granite Falls is a safe community. We’re just trying to keep it that way,” Granite Falls police officer M. Tackett said.