Menu
Sheriff's department receives new 'armor'
BENTON - Road deputies of the Scott County Sheriff's
Department are a bit safer on the job after being
issued new body armor this week.
Scott County Sheriff Bill Ferrell said with the
increase in violence against law enforcement officers
in today's society he feels much more at ease knowing
his deputies are wearing body armor.
"We're happy to get them," said Sgt. Jerry Bledsoe.
Although commonly referred to as "bullet proof vests,"
body armor also shields officers against "knives, a
board with nails in it - all sorts of situations,"
according to Bledsoe, including some protection
against blunt-object blows as well.
The purchase of nine sets of body armor was made
possible through donations, according to Ferrell. "Every road deputy has a vest now for the first time
ever," said Sgt. Steve Shoemaker. The department's two
investigators were also issued vests.
Before receiving the new armor, road deputies were
only supplied with tactical body armor by the
department, according to Ferrell. Carried in vehicles
for use during foreseeable high-risk situations, the
heavier, bulkier tactical body armor is worn on the
outside of the clothing.
"In a spur-of-the-moment situation, you don't have
that on," said Bledsoe.
Several deputies had spent $450 of their own money for
lighter body armor vests designed to be worn under
clothing.
The new vests weigh in at 3.5 pounds - about a 1.5
pounds lighter than the previous generation of
under-clothes armor and less than half the weight of
the 9.5-pound tactical vests.
Modern technology over the years, however, has enabled
body armor companies to produce a product that is not
only lighter and more comfortable but offers "more
protection for a longer period of time," said Bledsoe.
As daily wear breaks the material down over time, body
armor vests have a life expectancy of about five years
after which time manufacturers no longer vouch for its
ability to reliably stop bullets, according to
Bledsoe.