Pictures

My inaugural training of 2008 this January (DT Instructor Recertification) at the Pike County Correctional Institution in beautiful Lord's Valley, Pa. (L to R) Joe Shappert; Robert Serrano; Tom Schwartz; Lt. Todd Schweyer and New York Import, Peter Brady. These 5 vofficers are responsible for all Use Of Force Training at the institution. Yours Truly stands with Practice Baton in hand at the very end.

Pike County Prison Training Staff in some post-training hyjinks. Makes me wonder what these guys would do if they had real weapons?

Here your friendly neighborhood AFA Director and his lovely Executive Assistant Sandy toasts everone in their wonderful Action Fighting Arts Family from barside at the Clarion Inn in Ocean City, Maryland. Wish y'all could join us.

Pictured outside of the Ferguson Township PD Training and Conference Center on a gorfgeous Happy Valley Day in May of 2008 (PPCT DT Instructor Recert) are Officers Josh Garver; Chris Kaniecki;Eric Norman; Scoot Siegfried and Michael Charles (Back Row, L to R).
In the front (L to R) are Tim Stringer, Host Officer, FTPD; Bo Trawitz; Marty Bubb and IT Hammer (me) in the red cap.
What a fun and skilled bunch of guys.

One of Nesquehonikng's Finest, Officer Tim Wuttke, pictured here at the end of his DT Instructor Training in late 2007.

Probation and Parole Officers from the Pittsburgh Area at their DT Recert (4/08). David Meyers, Somerset; Lisa Elliott, Allegheny County; Bernard Smith, Mercer; Tim Wolfe, Pittsburgh and Terry Marks, McKeesport.

My Aunt Mimi on her 94th Birthday. Amazing woman.

DT RECERT at the Berks County Fire Academy in April, 2008, B ernard Big Burn Mikulski, Tina Marinari,Ryan Hoover, Matt Garner, Nathan Fazenbaker ,Joe MacLaughlin, Mark Gabonay and Kneeling is Charlie Tombasco. Group pictured with various training "weapons."

I took this photo right after the SKD and GAGE Recert Class of March 17-19-2008 at the Lancaster Co. LETC. Rear Row (L to r) are Rodney Brown and Cumru Twp. Officer Carl Britt. From Row, L to R, are Fran The Man Presley, Mark "Deuce" Rettew and Acker (The Attacker).

Even though there were only 4, what a GAGE Instructor Class. Very physical and a great learning experience, thanks to Kayla Etheridge and Chad Wood of the US Customs and Border Protection, Advanced Training Division in Harpers Ferry, Wva (the two officer on the right). Joe MacLaughlin (far left) and David Meyers round out this class (DT/SKD, April, 2008, Ferguson Twp PD, State College, Pa.

Big Sam Esposito, Director Bryan Warren, Antoine Anderson and Martial Artist Scott Buff excelled at this PPCT DT and VPM Instructor Seminar at the Carolina Health Care Security Division Training Center in Charlotte, North Carolina (March 3 to 8, 2008).

Dr. Brian Krause, Lansing, Michigan, Jennifer Larsen, Self Defense Trainer from Samford, Connecticut, and Hospital Security Specialist, David Berger, Cincinnati, Ohio, pictured here at the conclusion of this February, 2008 Violent P:atient Management (VPM) Instructor Program at Harry McCann's BCLETC.

Washington County Officers Dan Clements and JT Ridge prepare for Handgun Retention Training.

Newly certified PPCT DT Instructors from the September, 2007 class of Chester County (Pa) Probation Officers take a break from one of their trainings to pose with their Deputy Chief (standing) Joe Carlini this past November (07).

Chester County (Pa.) Probation/Parole Officers and graduates of the September 17 to 21, 2007 PPCT DT Instructor Certification Training Seminar held in West Chester, Pa. Gotta be tough-minded and committed to manage the mean-streets of Chester, Pa. and surroundings.

Back Row, Left to Right: John "Johnny Be Goode" Morton; Big Bruce McClure; Mark Gonsalves; Kristen "KB" Brown and Jim Bean (turned sideways).
Front Row, Left to Right: Mark Dinger; Yours Truly; and Leslie Manriquez.

The mighty women of my latest Self Defense For Women class at Northampton Community College, pictured here on August 1, 2007. Mere minutes before this picture, we took part in Red Man (protective gear - picture below) Combat Drills and several hit me so hard with piercing knee strikes, Hammer Strikes and Palm Heel Strikes that I ended up on the ground, and in at least two counterattacks I was stunned into near submission.

Here I am just moments before getting pummeled unmercifully and relentlessly by my August 1, 2007 Self Defense For Women class. My last thought after five consecutive "Marching Knee Strikes" to my Solar Plexus and stomach was: "I gotta get me some better protective gear!"

Here is my second COMET-KIDS (COMbat, Escape & Evasion Techniques for KIDS) class at NCC. This class ran from 6/18 to 6/21/07. This class was filled with beautiful, energetic and promising youngsters who learned basic self defense techniques against attacks from bullies, gang-bangers and adult predators. The skills included fundamentals such as: Tactical Breathing; Controlling Your Space; Verbal De-Escalation; Tactical Movement; the Basic Thai Kickboxing Blocking System; Basic Balance Displacement Moves; Hand, Arm and Leg Strikes; Handgun Disarming and more.

Jonny Zito, pictured above 3rd from the left, assisted with the training of this class.

From L to R, Front Row: Tyler, Anna and Mariah.
L-R, Back Row: Anna, "Hurrican Katrina," Jonny "Planet Z" Zito (Co-Instructor); Ondria; "Strong-Puncher Steven;" Joseph ( "Don't Ever Call Me Joey") and his brother William.

Co-Instructor Jonny "Planet" Zito poses with "Hurricane" Katrina, undoubtably one of the most powerful strikers in any of my classes so far. As you can easily see, we taught "Handgun Disarming" that day, along with so much more.

Graduating Officers from the June, 2007 PPCT DT Instructor Seminar at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center directed by Craig Elmer. I enjoy every training experience, which is why I keep doing this in my mid-60's, so I probably will never say a class is my "favorite class." yet, this class featured awesome technique mastery by Jace Parmer, Christopher Laser, Gary Purfield, Ken Eberle and Brian Guarnieri. Diminutive Sherry Struble displayed good "Instructor Speed Form" and most of the others won my admiration by struggling early and then coming through with a passing score at the end. Purfield earned a free PPCT Instructor Shirt with one of only 5 perfect Written and Practical Test Scores since I retired in May of 2004.

(L to R, Front Row) Sensei Ken Eberle, Family Martial Arts; Off. Brian Guanieri, Lower Paxton Township PD; Chester Co. Juvenile P.O. Gary Purfield; Me, your friendly neighborhood IT(in red cap); Sherry Struble, Centre County C.O. and Scott Rood, Franklin and Marshal U. Public Safety Officer.
(Middle Row, L to R) Lancaster County Adult P.O.'s Elizabeth Fasnecht and Rosie Feliciano with City of Lancaster Police Officer Christopher Laser on their left flank.
(Rear Row, L to R)
Big Matthew Bryner, Lancaster County Adult Probation Officer; Power-Striker Jason Parmer, Manheim Township Police Officer; Dale Dommel, Hospital Security and Charles Zimmerman, Centre County Correction Officer.

The May, 2007 "Comet-Kids" (Self defense For Teens) class at NCC. My first-ever such class and a lot of great fun and self-defense training.

Here I am posing shamelessly with my first-ever "COMET-KIDS (Combat, Escape & Evasion Techniques for Kids)" class conducted at Northampton Community College, May of 2007. This might be one of the cutest gathering of tough-kids ever. I had so much fun teaching this.

That's me, in my favorite baseball cap, proudly pictured between two Wilson Boro Police Officers (Easton, Pa.) - E.B. "Bud" Shull, a DT, GAGE and now DSM Instructor, on my right and John Mazzeo, S.W.A.T., Firearms and now DSM Instructor on my left. Both officers pictured after receiving their DSM Instructor Certificates (4/5/07). Shull, along with Bernie Mikulski, an outstanding DT, GAGE and DSM Instructor from Northampton County Probation, won a PPCT Instructor Shirt for scoring a rare "perfect 100%" score on both the Written and Practical Tests.

Seen above are the 8 graduates of my PPCT Disruptive Student Management(DSM) Instructor Training Seminar held in March, 2007 at the Northampton County Community College Southside (Bethlehem) Campus. This team of 8 instructors will be delivering DSM certification trainings for teachers, police, Resource Officers, et al. in one of the first programs of its kind in the U.S.A. designed to manage and overcome student violence.
Front Row, Left To Right: E.B. "Bud" Shull, Wilson Boro PD; David Strawn, City of Bethlehem P.D.; John Mazzeo, Wilson Boro P.D.; Thomas Barnowski, Director of Emergency Services Training, Northampton County Community College.
Back Row, Left To Right: Bernard "Big Burn" Mikulski, Northampton County Probation Dept.; Christopher Benton; Joseph G. Gross and Jason Fulmer, City of Bethlehem P.D.

The Warrior Graduates of the October, 2006 PPCT GAGE Instructor Seminar held at the Wilson Borough Community Center in Easton, Pa. Back Row, Left-To-Right are: Bud Shull, Wilson Borough PD; David Lembach, Palmer Twp. PD; Todd Lehman, Palmer Twp PD; Kelly "KC" Chapman, Schuylkill County Adult Probation; David Wright, a DT Instructor Trainer, Pittsburgh PD; Co-Instructor Bernie "Big Burn" Mikulski, Northampton County Probation Dept.; Dean Benner, Colonial Regional PD and David Marino, Bushkill Twp. PD.
Front Row, Left To Right: CJ Begansky, Schuylkill County Probation; Host and Coordinating Officer Calvin "Cal" Siegfried; Bo Trawitz, Mifflin County Probation and Michael Charles, also of Mifflin County Probation and Parole.

The Formidable graduates of the PPCT DT Instructor Seminar, held at HACC in Harrisburg, Pa. in March, 2006. At the very top is Marlene "Marty" Jarbeck, PSU Police, and maybe the toughest of the officers, pound for pound. Top Row, left to right: Scott Kerstetter, Union County Probation; Jeff "Blaze" Blaisdell, Colonial Williamsburg (Va.) PD; Tom Moser, Manor Twp PD; Craig Bousman, Orestes, Indiana PD; Brett Brown, Centre County Correctional Facility.
2nd Row, L to R: Steven Russell, Union County Probation; Stephan Resser, HACC Instructor; Dennis Pletz, Pa. Constable; Ryan Valentine, Elizabethtown College Security; Thomas Bloom, Centre County Correctional facility; James "Jamie" Miller, Springettsbury Twp. PD and Chad Gieser, Nuclear Security, Monticello, Minnesota.
Bottom Row, L to R: Michael Ott, Lebanon County Prison; Yours Truly and Chester County Juvenile Probation Officer Scott Berger.
Dan Solla, an outstanding and highly reputed Instructor Trainer and a veteran peace officer, co-instructed this seminar and took this photo. Dan was very impressed, as was I, with "the solid work ethic and the furious commitment to excellence this class displayed---"

This was easily the largest and most diverse of all my PPCT Instructor Seminars, but the Host Officer, Calvin Siegfried of the Wilson Borough PD did such an outstanding job, this course went very smoother than most. Of the 16 graduates of this PPCT DT Instructor Seminar, these officers hung around long enough after passing the exams to join in a class photo and to go out to lunch together at Shruty's Pub, a Wilson Boro Sports Bar.
Rear Row, Left to right: Officer Ethan Flick, Supreme Court of the United States, Washington, DC; John Kempter, Fernwood Public Safety Dept., Bushkill, Pa.; Officers Christian Meehan and E.B. "Bud" Shull, Wilson Borough PD; Christopher Walker, Resistance Control NZ, New Zealand and Officer David Marino, Bushkill Twp. PD., Nazareth, Pa. Front Row, right to left: Officer Gregory Outten, Colonial Williamsburg PD., Virginia; Host Officer Calvin Siegfried, Wilson Borough PD; Officer Jamison Gilbert, Kwajalzin PD, somewhere far out in the Pacific and Jennifer Larsen, Lighthouse International Law Enforcement and Martial Arts Training, Stamfort, Connecticut. Many others not pictured here graduated from the program, including Officer Joseph Kizer, Nazareth PD; Officer Brian Kirchner, Bethlehem Township PD; Officers Jason Fulmer and Christopher Benton of the Bethlehem PD; Falls Township officer Bryan White and Charles Meek of ISP Security.

They may be a little out of focus, but these outstanding officers and Health Care Professionals just graduated with honors from the PPCT Violent Patient Management Instructor Seminar, which ended on February 9, 2006 at Harry McCann's Bucks County Law Enforcement Training Academy. They are (left to right, rear row) Nathan Boudreau, Manchester (New Hampshire) PD; Michael McDonald, Springfield (Bucks Co., Pa.) Township P.D. and Instructor Trainer Wigder. (Front Row, Right to left) James Sizemore and HCP Darlene Sizemore of Anchorage, Alaska; Thomas Gallagher and Brandon Murphy of the Manchester (N.H.) P.D. This was my (IT Wigder) first PPCT VPM Instructor Seminar and it was highly successful mainly because of the skills and patience of the fine Manchester and Springfield Twp. officers who assisted some of the students who were experiencing some problems with a technique or two.

Action Fighting Arts proudly presents its last instructor seminar class photo of 2005, a PPCT SHARP course (12/12 to 12/14/05), hosted by the Ephrata Boro PD. Many officers in this class performed some of the techniques better than the Instructor Trainer. Warrior graduates included: Back Row, Left to Right: Air Marshal Raymond Lucas; Springfield Twp Officer Michael McDonald; Ephrata Boro Officer Tim "Cutter" Ebersole; Lancaster County Adult Probation Officers Rodney Brown; Mark "Deuce" Rettew and Fran "The Man" Presley. Front Row, Left to Right: Ehrata Boro Officers Patricia Bright and Michelle Krizan, followed by Lancaster County Probation Officer Jennifer Walker. IT Harry "The Hammer" Wigder (holding red hat) is bracketed on his right by Hard-Hitting Jennifer Larsen, an instructor from Stamford, Connecticut, and Host Officer, Sgt. Chris McKim, Ephrata Boro PD. In an awesome display of commitment to excellence, all four Lancaster County Probation Officers scored perfect scores on both the written and practical exams. Joining them with perfect scores were McKim and Lucas. I am not resorting to hyperbole when I state that Patricia Bright crushed me off my feet with a perfect and vicious Angle Kick from Level 2 1/2 and Law Enforcement Instructor Jennifer Larsen pounded me into submission with a series of brutal and relentless Front Kicks.

Graduates of the November, 2005 SKD Instructor Seminar
Back Row, left to right - Michael Gerace, Lancaster Police Department; IT Harry Wigder; Phillip Groff, Manheim Borough Police Dept.; Jason Zahm, Lancaster Police Dept. and Fran Presley, Lancaster County Probation.
This class of standout law enforcement officers distinguished themselves by picking up the close quarter survival techniques faster than any previous class.

The Women Warriors who completed my Self Defense For Women course at the Northampton County Area Community College on October 27, 2005.

The Women Warriors who completed my Self Defense For Women course at the Northampton County Area Community College on October 27, 2005.

Action Fighting Arts is proud to present this impressive cadre of outstanding law enforcement warriors all of whom excelled and demonstrated exemplary subject control and fighting skills in the Defensive Tactics and Ground Avoidance and Ground Escapes (GAGE) Instructor Seminars at the Bucks County Law Enforcement Training Center in Doylestown, Pa. from September 19 thru September 28, 2005.

Pictured: Standing in rear row from left to right are Michael Gifford, Wilmington (Delaware) PD; Michael McDonald, Springfield Twp PD; Quentin Fuller, Warrington Twp. PD and Northampton County Adult Probation and Parole Officer Bernie Mikulski. Pictured kneeling in the front row, left to right, are Joseph Leary, Jr., Wilmington PD; Andrew Verderame, Warminster Twp. PD; PPCT Instructor Trainer Harry Wigder (Red Shirt); John McKenna, Warminster Twp. PD and Detective John Schlotter, Warminster Twp PD. Schlotter was the Host Officer for both instructor seminars. Detective Tom Beiser and Training Officer Robert Weber of the Easton Police Department, Officer David Prado of the Wilmington PD, and Daniel Clements, Supervisor of Washington County Juvenile Probation are not pictured here, but all four graduated with outstanding efforts.

Proud Warriors Graduate:
PPCT IT and Action Fighting Arts founder Harry Wigder (in middle in red baseball cap) is proud to have worked with and certified this small; but formidable Ground Avoidance and Ground Escapes (GAGE) class of new PPCT Instructors at Pete Valentino's famed 84 Fitness Center in Eighty Four (Washington County), Pa.

Front Row, from left to right: Officer Gerald Maloni, Peters Township PD; IT Wigder (red hat); Jon T Ridge, Washington County Probation and Parole Supervisor (and Director of Security- Star Lake Ampitheater) and Officer James Hanna, Canonsburg PD.
Back Row, left to right: Tim Wolfe, Parole Agent, Pittsburgh District, Pa. Board of Probation and Parole and Officer James Stevick, Peters Township Police Department.
Maloni, Ridge, Hanna, Wolfe and Stevick also re-certified as PPCT DT Instructors during this 4-day dual seminar.

And here I am with the proud graduates from the PPCT
Defensive Tactics Instructor Seminar, held from September 13 to 17, 2004 in Ephrata, Pa. Graduates include,
from left to right, front row:
Graeme Quinn, Ephrata Boro PD; Kevin Stoltzfus, Asst. Director, Office of Public Safety, F & M University; Officer Martin Greg Yarbrough, East Earl Twp. PD; Harry Wigder, PPCT IT; Probation Officer Michael Hayes, Scranton Dept. of Probation & Parole; Officer Josh Kilgore, Warwick Twp. PD.Second Row (left to right): Probation Officer Craig Cook, Lebanon County Adult Probation & Parole; Probation Officer Dawn Redensky, Lebanon Co. Probation & Parole; Officer Dale Ebersole, West Earl Twp. PD; P.O. Erika McNany, Butler County Probation & Parole; Officer Timothy Ebersole, Ephrata Boro PD; Officer Richard Rhinier, Warwick Twp PD and Officer Chris McKim, Ephrata Boro PD.

The proud graduates of the March 16, 2004 Spontaneous Knife Defense Certification Class, each one valued Skill Bank Staff of the Pa. Board of Probation & Parole,
including, from left to right:
Ernie Criscitello, Altoona; Fast Tom Janocko, SCI-Coal Township; Bill Haslego, Norristown/Retired; Matthew Garner, Staff Safety Training Unit; Bobby Kemper, Special Projects; Michael Skiba, Mercer; Robert Martinez, Norristown and Mark Carey, Philadelphia. I am kneeling in the center of this skilled and committed graduate class.