Officer uses 'art' to take down criminals Posted On: Monday, Nov. 30 2009 05:32 AM By Victor O'Brien
Killeen Daily Herald

Some police officers lift weights to overpower suspects. Some run several miles every day to chase suspects.

Killeen police Officer Jeff Mullenax "paints." Mullenax's medium is Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a martial art based around grappling techniques.

A wrestling mat is his canvas. His passion is his inspiration, and his body is his paintbrush.

John Moore, Mullenax's trainer and the owner of Grappler's Lair, describes Mullenax as an artist.

Some grapplers just copy moves, but Mullenax challenges his mind to create new approaches, Moore said.

Mullenax, 37, is fast becoming a force on the world stage. He won the world heavyweight championship for blue belts in his age group Nov. 8 at the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation World No Gi Championship in Long Beach, Calif.

When he started grappling in 2006, fresh out of the police academy, Mullenax wanted to stay in shape and prepare to tackle crime.

If a suspect resists arrest, Mullenax, nicknamed the "Hurtn Machine," knows holds to keep them subdued. If the suspect tries to wrangle out of Mullenax's hold, he knows countermoves. His mind is trained to anticipate their next move, while preventing injury.

When pressed against the mat with his head wrapped in a hold, Mullenax does not panic.

His mind leaps to what he calls "eject buttons," dozens of "outside-the-box" options to free himself and subdue his opponent.

The world championship paved the way for Moore to award Mullenax his purple belt, the third-highest rank, on Nov. 19. Mullenax earned two belts in four years, the average span it takes for a person to rank from white to blue belt.

Mullenax admits he has no life outside of grappling and police work.

Some grapplers train once a week or just a few times a month. He trains at least five times per week, sometimes twice per day.

When he finishes his training, he trades his cotton kimono for a police suit.

"He has dedicated himself to Brazilian jiu-jitsu and it shows on the mat," Temple police Officer Robert Mallett said. "You've got to give yourself to this sport. It's not something to give half of you."

Mallett became a part of Mullenax's extended family when they started training together in Belton at Grappler's Lair, a home away from home that provides Mullenax with a second family.

Grappler's Lair is a 6,400-square-foot party supply warehouse converted into a training center featuring an Ultimate Fighting Championship-style octagon cage, wrestling mats and a weight training room.

Moore said Mullenax is a rare student. He sees with the eyes of a young artist.

"He doesn't look for magic pills. He believes in a hard work ethic," Moore said. "He is a listener. He is excited for knowledge."

Mullenax, "the artist," sees the sport like a mountain.

The purple belt reminds him that he is no longer at the base.

The black belt reminds him that he still has long way to reach the summit.

Contact Victor O'Brien at vobrien@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7468.