Federal Way cop competes on History Channel’s ‘Top Shot’

"Top Shot," The History Channel's popular competition show for weapons and firearms experts, will have a little dash of Federal Way when its new season kicks off at 7 p.m. Feb. 14.

“Top Shot,” The History Channel’s popular competition show for weapons and firearms experts, will have a little dash of Federal Way when its new season kicks off at 7 p.m. Feb. 14.

Federal Way Police Department Cmdr. Kyle Sumpter is one of the contestants for the new season, which The History Channel says will be the most interesting yet.

Sumpter is a 20-year police veteran, with 12 of those years spent in SWAT. Sumpter made history with his participation, according to The History Channel, because he is “the oldest marksman ever to compete on ‘Top Shot.'” At 50, Sumpter faced competition from men and women with ages ranging from 21 to 47. The FWPD commander is a state champion here in Washington, taking home championships from the International Defensive Pistol Association and the Steel shooting competitions. Sumpter only competes with police service weapons.

Sumpter said his age is of no concern to him, saying he’ll “spank the young guys on the firing line.”

The competition itself has become bigger than ever, The History Channel notes. On top of the $100,000 grand prize, the winner of “Top Shot” will end up with a professional contract with Bass Pro Shops. The pressure begins immediately this season, with two shooters forced to head home after a challenge in the first episode of the new season.

Season 4’s challenges will be focused on battle, with competitors “navigating back alleys to rappelling down buildings to hitting moving targets from a speeding WWII style motorcycle sidecar.” The longest shot in the show’s short history will also be attempted in Season 4, as contestants will try and hit a target from 1,500 yards out.

Competitors will “demonstrate mastery of weapons from all eras of human history.” Among the weapons the contestants will be faced with using are an M32A1 grenade launcher, an 1898 cannon from the Spanish-American War, a semi-automatic FS2000 bullpup rifle, and a 1919 vehicle-mounted Browning machine gun.