BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — When working in law enforcement, the key to staying safe is often in the protective equipment officers wear. Thanks to a generous donation from Tennessee-based organization Vests For Life Inc., the Martin County Sheriff’s Office can now outfit four deputies with state-of-the-art carrier vests lined with steel plates.
Deputy JC Kirk had heard of the Tennessee organization’s offer to supply carrier vests for $50 each. After speaking with Martin County Sheriff John Kirk about the program, the deputy got the green light to move forward with a request to Doug Kiser, owner of Vests For Life.
“I contacted Mr. Kiser and spoke with him about our need for protective equipment. He currently had four of the vests available that were lined with steel plates durable enough to withstand up to a 308 round,” Deputy Kirk said. “The sheriff’s department would only have been out the cost of $200 for the four vests made not only to protect the officer but also provide pocket storage for extra ammunition, first aid supplies, gloves and so forth.”
The retail price for one vest is approximately $1,200, and the sheriff felt his department was getting a great deal. Little did he know that deal was about to get even sweeter.
“I sent Mr. Kiser the contact information and address of the sheriff’s department, and we were expecting to receive the vests in about a week’s time,” said JC. “After a couple of weeks passed with no further communication, I reached back out to the owner and was told he had misplaced the information I had sent him. In the process of Googling our department to get an address, news articles associated with the sheriff’s office pulled up. He began reading stories of our budget restraints and inability to make purchases we often needed for our road patrol deputies.”
After reading about the sheriff’s situation, Kiser wanted to donate the vests at no charge.
“He felt it was important to help those who struggled to purchase equipment that would help keep their officers safe,” said Deputy Kirk. “I was humbled by his generosity, as was our entire sheriff’s office, and we are extremely grateful for his thoughtfulness and kindness.”
The four vests will be utilized by the two full-time deputies, the K-9 officer and one part-time (volunteer) deputy. According to the deputy, K-9 officer Billy Patrick also applied for a grant that would supply another type of bullet-proof vest. Once those are received, most of the deputies should have protective equipment available when responding to calls.
“I can’t thank Doug Kiser enough for what he’s done for us,” added Deputy Kirk. “It’s heartwarming to know there are people and organizations out there that step forward to make that thin blue line a little stronger,” said JC.