Jim Cirillo, the famed 17-0 NYPD gunfighter, killed in car accident - Page 1

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Jim Cirillo, the famed 17-0 NYPD gunfighter, killed in car accident (Page 1 of 4)

Posted: 7/13/2007 8:28:06 AM EDT

www.wktv.com/news/local/8484332.html

Fatal Accident in Brookfield
Video Video High
A local man, best known within the law enforcement community as a world renowned firearms instructor, is dead after a tractor trailer slammed into his car.

The accident happened in the Madison County Hamlet of West Edmeston at the intersection of Welch Road and Route 8 in the town of Brookfield.

Police say that James Cirillo of West Edmeston turned onto Route 8 and right into the path of a tractor trailer.

Cirillo died at the scene, and the driver of the big rig was taken to St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica for back injuries.

Authorities are continuing their investigation they're expected back at the scene later this morning for accident reconstruction.

He was 17-0 in gunfights

www.midwesttraininggroup.net/instructors.htm

Posted: 7/13/2007 8:52:22 AM EDT

[#1]

Quoted:

Quoted:
<Asinine statement>

Uncalled for, dude.

Lighten up Francis...

He's right the guys dead show some respect. He was definitely one bad ass dude.

Posted: 7/13/2007 8:55:48 AM EDT

[#2]

It is a shame indeed.

Back when I used to read about him, he was packing a pair of .38s with a .357 as a BUG

Posted: 7/13/2007 8:57:32 AM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
It is a shame indeed.

Back when I used to read about him, he was packing a pair of .38s with a .357 as a BUG

I was going to say the same thing... he is known for revolvers, not autoloaders.

Regardless, it is sad to lose him.

Posted: 7/13/2007 8:59:19 AM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:

Quoted:
...it kind of sounds like he was the dimwit.

Unfortunately all our highways are not blessed with adequate visibility and drivers who drive sane speeds going around curves....

Meaning that sometimes someone can pull out when it looks perfectly safe and be completely blindsided by some moron going entirely too fast.

You could be totally right, the article is lacking in some particulars.

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:00:28 AM EDT

[#5]

A real shame. RIP.

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:02:19 AM EDT

[#6]

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:02:41 AM EDT

[#7]

nevermind...I'll let the prick dig his own hole.

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:05:43 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
I was going to say the same thing... he is known for revolvers, not autoloaders.

Primarily, I believe, because when he was in the point in his career where he was getting into a gunfight every 10 minutes it was before there were a lot of high-quality reliable autoloaders on the market....

That added to the legendary "Huh?" decisions of the NYPD about issue weapons....

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:10:12 AM EDT

[#9]

A man whose skill I admire and whose attitude I try to emulate.

We need some Jim Cirillo stories in here for those who don't know about him. He survived more real gunfights than Wyatt Earp.

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:10:13 AM EDT

[#10]

A little more info here but not much. www.uticaod.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070713/NEWS/70713003

Hell of a way for a gunfighter to go out.

RIP

Wasn't he a big fan of stakeout squads with shotguns also?

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:12:24 AM EDT

[#11]

I've read stories over the years about his work, and the guy was pure nails.

This is a very sad day....

HH

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:12:32 AM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
Wasn't he a big fan of stakeout squads with shotguns also?

If I'd had to pull the trigger in 17 incidents I'd have a long gun permanently attached to the end of my arm.

Like a police officer I know once said:

"You know what convinced me to start pulling the rifle out whenever possible? Surviving a gunfight with a pistol."

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:13:14 AM EDT

[#13]

I'm getting pretty fed up with LE bashing and trolling of these military and LE threads. I can only offer so many warnings before I remove those purposely causing a disruption.

Adhere to the conduct code and warnings or do not participate on this website.

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:13:23 AM EDT

[#14]

Some of you guys sure are quick to blame the truck driver

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:15:44 AM EDT

[#15]

RIP Mr. Cirillo

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:17:48 AM EDT

[#16]

RIP

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:19:24 AM EDT

[#17]

Damn.

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:19:43 AM EDT

[#18]

As I recall, he was asked one time as to why he'd been so successful, and he replied "because I have 13 notches on my front sight" or something like that.

HH

ETA: I believe Mas Ayoob wrote that article.

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:20:14 AM EDT

[#19]

Hope the truck driver back is alright.
He should get a pretty penny out of the insurance, since it sounds like it was Cirillo fault.

Since if it was the reverse way everyone would be yelling Cirillo family should be suing the truck driver.

But i do fell sorry for anyone and their family who does die.

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:22:04 AM EDT

[#20]

RIP

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:22:15 AM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
and he replied "because I have 13 notches on my front sight" or something like that.

I don't get how that enhances accuracy....If somebody knows, please explain.

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:22:57 AM EDT

[#22]

Wow, when I was a young cop I read everything I could find about Jim. May he rest in peace. He sure paid his dues down here on earth.

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:23:36 AM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:

Quoted:
and he replied "because I have 13 notches on my front sight" or something like that.

I don't get how that enhances accuracy....If somebody knows, please explain.

I always took it to mean he concentrated on his front sight so well that he could count the notches. YMMV

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:24:14 AM EDT

[#24]

Show some respect, people!

Cirillo wrote some really good stuff and contributed much to the shooting world.

His attempt at making better ammunition was also noted ["Pin Grabbers"]

You may not have liked his style of writing or his ammunition; but this is a great loss to our shrinking gun community

RIP, brother

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:24:59 AM EDT

[#25]

Quoted:
nevermind...I'll let the prick dig his own hole.

There's one or more in every thread where somebody dies tragically. There are assholes on this board that like to crack jokes at innocent children dieing.

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:26:25 AM EDT

[#26]

His gunfight stories always amazed. Brass balls.

A sad day.

Prayers sent for Mr. Cirillo and his family.

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:27:14 AM EDT

[#27]

Shame to see him gone. He was one of the guy on my short list to train with. FRom what I recall he thought favorably of the M1 carbine when loaded with softpoints as a manstopper also.

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:27:35 AM EDT

[#28]

A tragedy, for sure.

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:27:37 AM EDT

[#29]

Sorry to hear it (first I've heard of the man, but sounds like a good one).

Does 17-0 mean he was never STRUCK by a bad-guy bullet? Or just not fatally.

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:30:51 AM EDT

[#30]

Christ... I can't fathom one man even getting INTO 17 gunfights outside of Special Forces, SEALS, Delta, or a defense contractor of some sort.

The guy was like a real-life John McClane.

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:32:33 AM EDT

[#31]

Quoted:
0-1 in Big Rig Fights...

VanekSF1

1-1 in cruel uncalled for bullshit.

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:32:49 AM EDT

[#32]

A cop back when a cop was allowed to do his job with minimal political interference. The shotgun squads for example.

He's leaving a big void in the community.

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:34:55 AM EDT

[#33]

Quoted:

Quoted:
and he replied "because I have 13 notches on my front sight" or something like that.

I don't get how that enhances accuracy....If somebody knows, please explain.

I always took it to mean he concentrated on his front sight so well that he could count the notches. YMMV

That's exactly what he meant according to Mas' article.

HH

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:35:04 AM EDT

[#34]

People always bitch about the lack of morals in America. Then a thread about the death of hero gets shit on.

This guy was a truly dedicated crime fighter. Even in his retirement remained dedicated to saving lives through training. Yet all we can do is crack jokes and get into a pissing match over who's "fault" the accident was.

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:35:52 AM EDT

[#35]

Wow, thats only about 12 miles from my folks house.
I am actualy going to east edmonston on sunday.
I will say a prayer.

ETA: was he a member here?

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:36:02 AM EDT

[#36]

Quoted:
Some of you guys sure are quick to blame the truck driver

Nobody should be blaming anybody at this point. It was an accident and not to sound like Markm, but these things do happen.

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:36:53 AM EDT

[#37]

Quoted:
Sorry to hear it (first I've heard of the man, but sounds like a good one).

Does 17-0 mean he was never STRUCK by a bad-guy bullet? Or just not fatally.

I don't recall if he was ever wounded or not, but I do remember that he went into a couple of those gunfights armed with a .38 snubby and roundnose ammo.

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:37:44 AM EDT

[#38]

Quoted:
Sorry to hear it (first I've heard of the man, but sounds like a good one).

Does 17-0 mean he was never STRUCK by a bad-guy bullet? Or just not fatally.

google his name and shootout or gunfight for some exciting reads

my favorite story is the store that kept getting robbed so they set up a stake-out...They didn't have to wait long for the bastards to come back!

One bad guy was shot in the face with a shotgun slug [Nelson Ha Ha!], it blew his jaw and teeth off and killed the second bad guy with slug and tooth frags; causing the third member of the crew to freak out and try to flee..He got caught

Cirillo +1

armed robbers=

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:38:44 AM EDT

[#39]

Quoted:

Quoted:
0-1 in Big Rig Fights...

VanekSF1

1-1 in cruel uncalled for bullshit.

Okay... it was a piss poor joke at his 17-0 record. Unfortunately, good people die everyday and the world is less without them.

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:40:13 AM EDT

[#40]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Sorry to hear it (first I've heard of the man, but sounds like a good one).

Does 17-0 mean he was never STRUCK by a bad-guy bullet? Or just not fatally.

I don't recall if he was ever wounded or not, but I do remember that he went into a couple of those gunfights armed with a .38 snubby and roundnose ammo.

Im not too familar with the guy. I know of him and that he has survived many gun fights.
There was a story in some gun magazine several years ago about a police officer who killed 2 or 3 armed robbers. The police officer ran to the back of the store/bank and shot the bad guys as they exited.
Does this sound like one of the shootings he was involved in?

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:41:21 AM EDT

[#41]

Damn, that sucks. No way for someone who lived his life to die.

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:43:48 AM EDT

[#42]

Why don't we share some good stories that we've read about him rather than throw stones at what basically amounts to an online wake....

This type of behavior is uncalled for and is no different than those kooks who protest military deaths

share a story or stfu if you don't have anything positive to contribute to this thread

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:51:33 AM EDT

[#43]

Since apparently theres a lot of people that know little or nothing about him, just so you know, he wrote an excellent book that covers in detail his gunfights:

Guns, Bullets, And Gunfights: Lessons And Tales From A Modern-Day Gunfighter

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:53:13 AM EDT

[#44]

Quoted:
I always took it to mean he concentrated on his front sight so well that he could count the notches. YMMV

Ah. I get it now.

Darn. I thought I was on the cusp of learning some new secret hidden dim mak death dealing technique....

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:53:48 AM EDT

[#45]

Quoted:
I don't recall if he was ever wounded or not, but I do remember that he went into a couple of those gunfights armed with a .38 snubby and roundnose ammo.

NYPD's ammo selection was teh suck until the last few years.

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:54:17 AM EDT

[#46]

Quoted:
Survives an insane number of gunfights only to get killed in a traffic accident...most likely because some dimwit didn't watch what they were doing....

That sucks.

"Police say that James Cirillo of West Edmeston turned onto Route 8 and right into the path of a tractor trailer."
Who's the Dimwit, you speak of??

ETA Yep I didnt read all 3 pages first. Already been posted by many before me.

Posted: 7/13/2007 9:54:42 AM EDT

[#47]

Quoted:

Quoted:
...it kind of sounds like he was the dimwit.

Unfortunately all our highways are not blessed with adequate visibility and drivers who drive sane speeds going around curves....

Meaning that sometimes someone can pull out when it looks perfectly safe and be completely blindsided by some moron going entirely too fast.

You could be totally right, the article is lacking in some particulars.

Everyone makes mistakes from time to time. Sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you don't.

Wow! That is unfortunate. If this were a century earlier he'd be as famous as Wyatt Earp or Bat Masterson.

Posted: 7/13/2007 10:34:26 AM EDT

[#48]

Quoted:
A cop back when a cop was allowed to do his job with minimal political interference. The shotgun squads for example.

He's leaving a big void in the community.

Those days are long gone bro. If anyone got into 17 gunfights today brass would shitcan you justified or not