Over 100 Denver police officers received free gear on Tuesday, courtesy of Shield 616 — and a mysterious benefactor.
Shield 616 is a Colorado charity that gifts packages of police gear valued at $1,500 to protect officers in the line of duty. The additional $112,000 added 76 more officers to the 25-officer gift already planned. Of course, many police stations already supply ballistic protection to their officers, but the higher quality “rifle-rated” gear is often too expensive.
Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen was overwhelmed by the generosity. “This is a very special day, the fact that 101 Shield 616 kits (are) going to our officers, particularly after a rough month,” he told FOX 31. “We’ve had three separate incidents where people have fired upon our officers.”
“The fact that the community is willing to support [Denver police] by providing this extra gear — this extra equipment, the latest and greatest equipment to keep them safe — really helps our officers when they go out there and do this very dangerous job,” Pazen added.
Shield 616 has now offered lifesaving equipment to more than 3,500 officers in 14 states. On its official website, it explains:
In recent years, the atmosphere toward law enforcement and those who serve our communities has changed. Instead of throwing up our arms and complaining, we have chosen to be light by supporting peace officers and first responders. We do this by up-armoring them with all-day rifle protection, praying for and encouraging them daily, and rallying community support.
“We believe that when our peace officers and first responders are well equipped we will strengthen our nation, states, communities, neighborhoods and families,” Shield 616 says on the site. “This is only possible because of generous friends, like [you].” And now there are 101 more Denver officers safe to echo the sentiment.
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