Gaithersburg Police Holds First Annual Chief's Pistol Competition

Gaithersburg Police named its top gun Wednesday.

In the first annual "Chief's Pistol Competition," featuring a combat course designed by the Gaithersburg Police Department's firearms instructors, Officer Gregg Johannesen emerged victorious.

Corporal Lester Rice and Officer Jonathan Bennett finished second and third, respectively.

This year, 18 officers qualified for the event based on an average of the officer’s daytime and nighttime qualifications, according to the city.

“The pistol competition is an extension of an officer’s regular training,” Gaithersburg Police Chief Mark Sroka said. “Through competitive shooting, officers are given an opportunity to perform under pressure, to gain confidence so they can perform better on the street, and to add to their repertoire some of the finer aspects of marksmanship — which could someday save lives.”

The event was sponsored by the Gaithersburg Police Foundation.