One after another, they each stood up with weapon in hand and fired countless shots to put an end to a hostage situation.

They used handguns and rifles and if needed, they had pepper spray and tasers at their disposal.

In the end, they subdued the criminals and the victims were saved.

This was not a scene in downtown Selma, but it was the scene Tuesday at the Wallace Community College Advanced Visualization Center where state and local officials, as well as state law enforcement officials got to view just what capabilities the virtual training center provides.

This system is a tremendous leap in technology for the college and its partner in the Alabama Department of Justice Training Center.

With each announcement from the college and the training center, the value of that partnership and the role they both have played and continue to play in Selma increases.

At the time the new training center was opened next to Wallace, we again thanked the public officials who worked so hard to ensure the training center, which was once located at Craig Field, never left Selma.

With the unveiling of this technology and these new training capabilities, we once again applaud the efforts of local and state leaders, but applaud the state law enforcement officials and college officials who are always looking for the cutting edge; looking for the next advancement.

The scenarios played out on the screen in the new visualization center may be make believe, but the impact that such a center can have on Selma and the Black Belt is very much real.