A 24-year law enforcement veteran, Emerson Carroll of the Halifax County Sheriff's Office, has been through rapid deployment training before.

Each time, however, he gains something from it.

“It refreshes your motor skills,” he said after going through Medlin School during the active shooter drill where he and his partners searched for the assailant. “You're working with the guys you work with on the streets. Being on the road, you can only hope it never happens. It's a big county. All law enforcement has to depend on each other whether it's the SBI, Wildlife or police. Children are the most important commodity the U.S. has. We have to do our best to protect them.”

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While the sheriff's office has a hazardous entry arrest team, which specializes in high-risk arrest warrants and other dangerous situations, it is important that all members be trained in these activities, said Captain Rich Somogyi who, with Detective Herbert Williams, trains the HEAT team.

“First responders are being trained to pursue active shooters,” Somogyi said. “If there was an active shooter, whether it was one or six deputies, the goal is to stop the active shooters. We show them different techniques.”

Simmons, right, talks with Detective Harold Phillips.

Thirty-two members of the sheriff's office participated in the training led by members of the Halifax Community College staff.

“Law enforcement nationwide is challenged with contemporary trends involving violence in the workplace, education facilities and at home,” Sheriff Wes Tripp said. “The Halifax County Sheriff's Office is providing training to all deputies in rapid deployment.”

The HEAT team, funded by federal drug money seizures, has executed several search warrants, made high-risk arrests, and assisted narcotics agents and detectives, Tripp said. “The Heat team is trained for high-risk situations such as active shooters, high-risk warrant service, barricaded or hostage situations.”

Detective Obert Wiltsie, right, nabs the "shooter."

The team has certified snipers as well as a hostage negotiator. “We chose to incorporate rapid deployment in order to prepare deputies for actual high-stress situations. The simulated training is geared towards continued proficiency in responding, containment and securing scenes in consideration of public safety.”

Inside the school, the officers tried to track down a shooter hidden inside, going through a maze of hallways and classrooms as instructors such as Brian Simmons and Doug Pilgreen critiqued them afterward.

For Detective Chris Scott, the drills were all about communication. “You learn teamwork and how important communication is. It's more about working together as a group. It's about training your mind for that situation, muscle memory and how important it is to practice teamwork.”