FAYETTEVILLE -- Matt Mills was on duty when University of Arkansas professor John Locke was shot and killed by a student in 2000.
He can remember the meal he didn't eat because he was called to Kimpel Hall for shots fired. He remembers probing Room 231 during the investigation and finding hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
What he can't remember is riding his bicycle to the scene and leaping from it when he arrived.
Now a captain with the University of Arkansas Police Department, Mills oversees a training seminar to teach people how to prepare and respond to campus violence, including identifying and reporting threats that could prevent another tragedy. On Monday, Mills spoke to about 20 people consisting of campus faculty, staff and students.
Mills said he was able to recall his training in 2000, and his goal now is to teach "what's important to note and what do I need to do once I've noted it.
"We've got to get out of the mindset that it won't happen here," Mills said. "We have to get away from the lethargic mentality that as long as it's not happening here, it doesn't apply to me."
Law enforcement isn't immune to apathy, either, Mills said.
"Whenever something happens that we're not expecting, we have a startle or fear response," Mills said. "It doesn't matter if you've been doing this for 20 years. If something happens in front of me that I'm not anticipating, I'm going to be startled. My heart rate increases. My breathing increases."
When those situations occur, it's important to have a plan, Mills said.
One such plan is called Avoid, Deny and Defend. In 2015, the university produced a video depicting that response for an active shooter on campus. The plan advocates that people flee from the immediate threat and call 911 once in a secure location; deny entry to the gunman if fleeing isn't an option; and as a last resort, defend themselves using makeshift weapons.
Since Locke's death, the university also developed the Behavioral Intervention and Threat Assessment Team, with Mills serving as chairman. The team consists of university police, staff and faculty who attempt to evaluate and review campus violence, according to its website. Alongside calling 911, reports of sexual misconduct, threats and concerns can be made online at report.uark.edu.
Penny Bellard, director of print mail and copy with the university's mailing services, said the seminar was "long past due."
Bellard was unaware of the online reporting system and said it was "good information" to know.
Tony Johnson, who works in loss prevention at the University of Arkansas Bookstore, called the seminar a "good refresher" and said he plans to take what he learned Monday back to his staff.
"This is the type of thing that's always good to make a person aware of," Johnson said.
Mills concluded the class by urging people to report worrisome threats and concerns.
"When we talk about campus or workplace violence, it's extremely important that we focus on the big picture," Mill said. "We want to stop it before it has a chance to get traction and start."
Metro on 11/15/2016