Valley law enforcement trained under self-defense expert

Fifty-five to 65,000 law enforcement officers are assaulted in the line of duty every year; 30%end up injured.

Johnny Smith, who holds a black belt in Brazilian jujitsu and trained under the infamous Gracie family, wants to change those statistics.

He's in town training level two instructors with the Madison County Sheriff's Office, self defense tactics they can teach other officers.

The techniques come from martial arts practices, often incorporating jujitsu, and it will help officers in defending themselves.

Smith says, "There are a lot of situations that officers can be placed in that we can show them how to get out of without resorting in deadly force."

Sgt. Chuck Zeissler, S.W.A.T. supervisor with the Madison County Sheriff's Office describes his training: "It's filled a gap where other systems have not been in law enforcement and taught us how to act defend our in life threatening situations."

These vital skills have already helped saved the lives of a Madison County Sheriff's deputy and Alabama state trooper.

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