By Mike Simmons
Pensacola, Florida, August 1, 1999, 9:04 PM
When the Pensacola Police Department was notified of a man in his backyard shooting a gun, which threatened his neighbors, they sent officers. The shift commander decided to call out the department’s SWAT team.
As in all “shots fired” calls, several officers respond. In addition to Kenny Willis, Stu Melton, E. J. Caddell, Kristin Brown, and Leon Martin headed that way, just in case. Most such calls prove to be something other than the dreaded call that someone has shot someone else. Accidental discharge, target practice, car backfire – many solutions are more likely than a dangerous one.
However, an innocent episode was not what was taking place in this case. The resident, a 49-year-old despondent man, was contemplating taking his life. The man stepped from his house onto the screened-in pool patio. He fired his handgun at least once, but not at himself. The neighbors, suspicious, called the police. As officers arrived, each took up a position on the perimeter of the house.
“Okay, activate the whole team,” Chip instructed the dispatcher. “We don’t know what we have, and we might need them all.” He headed toward the scene.
The entry team consisted of Lt Simmons, Sgt. McVicker, Sgt. Sievers and Officer Martin. Sgt. McVicker had the bulletproof shield. St. Sievers had the beanbag shotgun. Lt. Simmons carried the 12-gauge shotgun as a last resort.
The entry team’s objective was to end the standoff without injury. As the operation began, the team entered through the front door, followed the hallway, and stopped at the back door. Repeated attempts at trying to get the man to put down the gun failed, so action was required.
Chip gave the command for Sgt. Sievers to fire the Bean Bag gun, which he did. Being struck by two bean bag rounds at 300 feet per second will take the wind out of anyone. The man dropped the gun and fell backwards. Sgt. McVicker then rammed him with the shield. Chip grabbed the gun while the man was subdued. Mission successful.
On January 21, 2000, the Pensacola Police Department and the Fraternal Order of Police hosted the annual awards banquet. Chip Simmons, Mike McVicker, and Greg Sievers were presented with the department’s highest award, the Gold Medal of Valor. They were also presented with medals from the Police and Firemen’s Insurance Association for heroism on August 31, 2000.
Chip went on to be promoted to Captain on June 28, 2002. He was quickly placed in the position of department spokesman and public information officer. 2 ½ years later, on January 11, 2005, Chip was again promoted – this time to the position of Assistant Chief. He worked hand-in-hand with Chief John Mathis. On June 11, 2010, Chip took over as Chief when John Mathis retired. Chip remained in the top cop position until his retirement date on July 15, 2015. As he stepped down, the Pensacola News Journal named the awards he had earned. Besides the aforementioned Gold Medal of Valor, he was also awarded the Bronze Cross, the Chief’s Medal, five Meritorious Service Commendations, two Unit Citations, four City of Pensacola Merit Awards, and the Mayor’s Leadership Award. Quite an accomplishment in 29 years!
Almost immediately, Chip was hired as the Assistant County Administrator over the Escambia County Jail, the same agency that he began his career with in 1984. Shortly afterwards, Chip was offered the position of Chief Deputy of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office by Sheriff David Morgan. He accepted and took over the operation of the department immediately.
When Sheriff Morgan decided to retire, Chip threw his hat into the ring of candidates for county sheriff. In November 2020, he was elected to the position of chief law enforcement officer in Escambia County.
Chip began his career with the overwhelming desire to serve the citizens. I would say he has done so!
