Jun 10, 2009 7:18 pm US/Eastern
"Super"-intendent In Spotlight: I'm No Hero
Cancer Survivor And Former Hockey Goalie Mitchell Lauded For Disarming Armed Parent; Says Whole Thing "Surreal"
BLAUVELT, N.Y. (CBS) ―
-
-
Soft-spoken Ken Mitchell, left, met the media on June 10 to discuss the series of events that led to him disarming a gun-toting parent inside his Rockland County school on June 9.
CBS
The Rockland County school superintendent who subdued a gun-toting parent Tuesday said he's no hero. He spoke to reporters on Wednesday.
"I want to begin by sharing how relieved I am that no one has been hurt and that our children and staff all are doing well," Dr. Ken Mitchell said.
He may have looked mild-mannered, but Dr. Mitchell now is being called the "super"-intendent.
"I'm a little embarrassed by that. I don't see it as heroic. I think I had to respond based on the circumstances that presented themselves and I don't know how else I would have responded," Dr. Mitchell said.
The Rockland County district attorney told Mitchell not to say too much about his heroic disarming of a gun-toting parent – 37-year-old Peter Cocker, who briefly served with the NYPD.
He allegedly brushed past a security guard and forced his way into Mitchell's office.
A letter about the swine flu apparently angered Cocker. It was sent home Monday and Cocker apparently felt it downplayed the swine flu threat.
Mitchell told police cocker pointed a gun at Mitchell's chest and said he'd shoot if the superintendent didn't rewrite the letter.
"My goal was to try to persuade the individual to cooperate and end the situation safely for all involved," Mitchell said.
The superintendent -- a former hockey goalie -- said the whole thing was surreal. Sources told CBS 2 HD Mitchell ended the confrontation by wresting the gun away from Cocker and wrestling him to the ground.
Parents said Mitchell's bravery has burnished his already strong reputation in the community.
"Oh we're so proud of him. He's just a hero to everyone. We all look up to him. What a role model," parent Cathy Sullivan said.
As for the gun-toting parent, Cocker is held without bond. His stint in the NYPD and his longstanding involvement in community activities certainly make his alleged actions all the more difficult to understand.
Mitchell said he's been flooded with congratulatory e-mails. He pointed out he's faced down a scarier foe in the past -- he's a cancer survivor.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
2009 Celebrity Deaths
Click to enlarge
Gotti Jury To Resume Deliberations In NYC 4 mins ago 
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments