Dear Editor,
I just wanted to say a few things about a person that was very near and dear to my heart - Corporal James Monroe “ Rooster” Dixon III. I had the distinct pleasure in meeting this man in one of the most terrifying experiences a young person would put themselves through - Marine Corps Boot Camp. When we thought we wouldn’t make it through there.... we did. I also was lucky enough to stay with him through SOI (School Of Infantry). Rarely do Marines get to go through their entire enlistment with the same people, but we did. We did two combat deployments. However, he was a bigger man than me and went on to do a third one to show how much he loved his country. There were certain situations where he would act like your brother, or others where he could throw on the “mamma” role too. But the greatest thing about him was that he never was acting. He was my brother, and above all that he was our nation’s HERO. No one will ever forget the sacrifices James gave for God, Marine Corps, and our Country.
“Semper Fidelis my friend!”
The way James left this world is unspeakable. As a Marine we are taught to always keep your weapon with you. He was on his own property, carrying his weapon in a non-hostile carry, and was killed. This act was something that I wouldn’t have thought would happen had I been in his situation. He didn’t threaten anyone’s life. If I would have been in that situation on the SWAT team’s side I wouldn’t have felt threatened by a shotgun at that distance. Where is the less than lethal approach that SWAT is supposed to be trained in? So many questions run through my head on how things could have been handled differently. From James’s and my bit of training - compared to that of a SWAT team this should have had a much different outcome. James had so much more to offer this world but it was cut short by those put in place to “PROTECT” us. I will never forget Corporal James Monroe “Rooster” Dixon III, 3rd Battalion 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division, Kilo Company 3rd Platoon. Semper Fidelis my friend!
UWMA Brother,
Corporal Brandon S. Farmer USMC, Salem, OH
UWMA Brother,
Corporal Brandon S. Farmer USMC, Salem, OH
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#1
George Eason
on
04/08/12 at 12:55 PM
[Reply]
I have to agree with you Cpl. Farmer. The SWAT team blew it, it was handled terribly with total incompetence. Shameful.
#2
Staff Sergeant Joshua Chitwood
on
04/10/12 at 05:06 AM
[Reply]
I am proud to say that I as well as Corporal Farmer got the privilege to serve with James Dixon. We went through SOI and two combat deployments to Iraq. There was no better man to take you under his wing then Dixon, He had a way to relate to and comfort all his buddies and Marines. He was a leader, a war hero, and a great American. I can recall times that I never thought we were going to make it out but James would get this look in his eyes of determination and say follow me. I thank the lord for all the memories and allowing James to be a part of my life, it’s not every day you meet a man willing to give up everything he owns just so another wouldn’t suffer. As for the SWAT team that ended a HERO's life. In the end you should know the max ranges and threat rings of the weapons you go up against, you should also be trained in deescalated forces and most importantly you should be trained to shoot in only self defense or when your life is in danger. If any of you feel as if your life was in danger that day then Lord help us all and put some REAL MEN on the front lines that will protect and defend and are not trigger happy. I have fought in two different wars Iraq and Afghanistan and never once did I become undisciplined and pull the trigger on an innocent man with a gun on his own property. But I guess that why were the "FEW AND THE PROUD" because not any JOE can do what we do. SEMPER FI JAMES ROOSTER DIXON III I LOVE YOU AND YOU WILL ALWAYS BE A PART OF MY LIFE.