AFGE member Sergeant Kimberly Munley hailed as hero of Ft. Hood tragedy

November 9, 5:59 AMDC Special Interests ExaminerRon Moore

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AFGE Local 1920 member Sgt. Kimberley Munley
AP

AFGE member Sergeant Kimberly Munley is being hailed as the hero of the Ft. Hood tragedy as she responded without regard for her personal safety to protect and serve the Ft. Hood community. During the eight year history of the Transportation Security Administration some politicians like former president George W. Bush and Representative John Mica (R - FL) asserted that union members like Munley would be less likely to serve with honor due to what they consider the restrictions of collective bargaining. Munley, like thousands of officers on every level of government serve with dignity and are treated with dignity thanks to the partnership with management known as collective bargaining. Sgt. Munley is a civilian police officer at the Ft. Hood military installation and a member of AFGE Local 1920.

According to a Washington Post report Sgt. Munley’s actions made her a hero to colleagues and strangers alike, as military leaders, neighbors and others praised her role in bringing an end to the tragedy.

"She probably saved a lot of lives with her actions," said Gen. George W. Casey Jr., the Army's chief of staff.

Lt. Gen. Robert Cone, commanding officer at Fort Hood, said, "It was an amazing and an aggressive performance by this police officer."

"Sgt. Munley acted with great heroism …as she and her partner were the first to respond to calls for help during the shooting rampage at Ft. Hood," said John Gage, AFGE national president. "As a part of its family, we offer our thoughts, our prayers, our support and our strength to our brave soldiers and their families, and our brothers and sisters, who are affected by this senseless and pointless tragedy," said Gage.

AFGE represents 1,700 civilian defense employees at the army base, including civilians in the Soldier Readiness Center, employees at the base hospital, and officers of the installation's civilian police force.

While Bush and Mica rightfully praise Munley while they mourn the tragedy at Ft. Hood they face an opportunity to apologize and acknowledge their shameful disrespect for those who serve while they are treated with dignity as workers as union members.