Last Updated: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 Damageplan Tragedy: Extraordinary Bravery Updated: Friday, December 10, 2004 Columbus police officer James D. Niggemeyer. Photo: Columbus Police Department Out of many tragedies comes heroism, sometimes recorded, other times lost in the moment. In the case of the recent Damageplan concert tragedy in Ohio, bravery displayed by those at the scene are fortunately known. Two heroes have already been identified. Others may be known to us soon. Concertgoer Nathan Bray, 23, was one of those heroes. According to eyewitness accounts, he rushed to help guitarist Darrell “Dimebag” Abbott as he lay bleeding to death. Mr. Bray was shot dead by shooter Nathan Gale. No one who was at the concert at Alrosa Villa, would deny for a moment that had it not been for Columbus police officer James D. Niggemeyer, the death and injury toll would likely have been higher. Officer Niggemeyer, 31, was near the concert hall when Mr. Gale began his rampage. The police officer was able to enter the venue, remain focused and calm, and shoot Mr. Gale dead in the midst of the chaos and carnage. That type of police work does not come easy, and is not easily done---the taking of a life even when it saves other lives. Nevertheless, officer Niggemeyer put himself between the unarmed concert crowd and the shooter and did his duty. It is not coincidental that Officer Niggemeyer is a member of the Columbus Police Department, an agency recognized as one of the most professional law enforcement departments in the US. As other heroes of the Damageplan concert disaster become known, News & Views will identify them. [ home ][ crowdcafe ][ new ][ crowdshop ][ contact ] Crowd Management Strategies © 1997 - 2006. All rights reserved. Crowdsafe is a registered trademark of Crowd Management Strategies © 2006.