Still not convinced to wear that vest?

**mhorton** · 06-30-06, 10:19 PM

I received the following in my email yesterday:

"...Here is information I received early this morning from officers at Olive Branch P.D.:

At approximately 4:30 this morning two officers with Olive Branch P.D. made a traffic stop and were shot after asking for the D.L. of the driver. The vehicle turned out to be stolen, but the officers were unware of this at the time of the stop. One officer, (name removed by yours truly), a 4-year patrolman was shot twice and is critical but stable condition at the Med in Memphis. He was not wearing a vest. The other officer, (name also removed by yours truly), is a rookie who just left the academy about two weeks ago. {The rookie} was wearing his vest and took a round center mass which struck the vest. He was uninjured. At least two rounds from the officers struck the assailants vehicle. ..."

Incidentally, my Assistant Chief used to work with Olive Branch and knows the officer that did not have a vest. He told me the guy never wore his vest that he could recall.
I bet the rookie will always have his.
Remember, folks, it only takes one time.

**Retdetsgt** · 06-30-06, 11:48 PM

Even our command people are required to wear a vest when in uniform. It's not an option. No vest, time off w/o pay.

**GarcoDeputy** · 06-30-06, 11:56 PM

Just wear the damn thing!!!!!!

**mhorton** · 07-01-06, 01:00 AM

Originally Posted by GarcoDeputy

Just wear the damn thing!!!!!!

Exactly.
It's not doing you any good in the trunk of the car.

**Pedro56** · 07-01-06, 02:15 AM

Originally Posted by Retdetsgt

Even our command people are required to wear a vest when in uniform. It's not an option. No vest, time off w/o pay.

Same here, the thing that sucks is that we have to pay for our vests. The thing that really sucks is that most people with anytime on do not replace the vests after they expire. As we know we are cheap by nature.

**TheOldRhino** · 07-01-06, 02:27 AM

I seem to recall reading an article about an officer shooting wear the bad guy just assumed the cop was wearing his vest and shot him wear the vest would be so he wouldn't have a death on his conscious. If I remember the story correctly, the officer did not have his vest on and died.

It could be just an urban myth- but it's a logical scenario. There's no reason not to wear a vest in this day and age. They make them small and light enough to be much more tolerable than when they first came out.

I've said a thousand times: If me, a 200lb hairy bicycle patrol officer who works in southern heat can wear his vest every day- then there is no reason anyone else can't.

**moggsp98** · 07-01-06, 02:44 AM

For me it is like my American Express. If I am in uniform, I don't leave home without it! Even if just going to court. Besides, my wife would KICK MY ASS!

**JohnnyRotten** · 07-01-06, 03:09 AM

When I worked security, if I wanted a vest I had to buy it myself. I did. I even wore it in the office.

I just have a problem with wearing a target without protection.

**BigBossMan** · 07-01-06, 03:26 AM

Its bad enough that my agency sometimes does not issue us a weapon while transporting low custody inmates on hospital trips while wearing our "Federal Officer" windbreakers. I wear my vest no matter what!!

**General Patten** · 07-01-06, 05:02 AM

no shit... wearing it costs you nothing but a little comfort. Not wearing it can cost you everything

..even if you have to buy the damn thing yourself... its still worth it