Play ball, but thank three heroic agents

The Congressional Baseball Game went on for charity Thursday night, and we should talk more about the three reasons why.

Special Agents David Bailey and Crystal Griner of the U.S. Capitol Police both were among victims of an unknown gunman wielding a rifle from 35 yards away, surprising members of Congress participating in an early-morning baseball practice.

Yet both agents and Special Agent Henry Cabrera still returned pistol fire. The three helped stave off Illinois gunman James T. Hodgkinson. Bailey, injured by shrapnel, even limped into the outfield to check on the injured lawmaker they were guarding, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana.

For a few minutes that seemed like ages, only Bailey, Cabrera and Griner fended off Hodgkinson as he took potshots at members of Congress, also hitting a guest and a congressional aide.

“The Capitol Police saved 25 Congress members and about 15 staffers today,” said U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Austin, a Weatherford businessman. “We are blessed God was with us and we had the Capitol Police there to help us.”

Three brave special agents prevented a greater disaster. We can be grateful for the police officers’ courage, and that the three are still with us to accept our thanks.

This story was originally published June 15, 2017 at 4:56 PM with the headline "Play ball, but thank three heroic agents."