Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 4018 AMERICAN POLICE BEAT: NOVEMBER 2016 F or law enforcement officers and their loved ones, the risk of injury or death on the job is a threat that is always on their minds. And when you are shot in the line of duty, it’s an experience you never forget. Most of the time, if an of- ficer has been shot on the job, there are not a lot of people around who have had a similar experience. That is why a “Saves Retreat,” hosted by Armor Express, was such a welcome opportunity for six officers who all survived their shootings and whose lives were saved by their Armor Express vests. Kyle Gilmore (Law- renceville County Sher- iff’s Office, Illinois), Ja- son Harley, (Edmonton PD, Alberta, Canada), Michael Schuyler (Flint Township PD, Michi- gan), Joe Tortorella (Ni- agara County Sheriff’s Office New York), Joe Canales (Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, Texas) and Michael Williams, Jr. (East Orange PD, New Jersey) – all say their body armor saved them from death or seri- ous injury. “If I hadn’t been wearing my vest, I very well could have made my wife a widow and my children would have grown up without a father,” explained Deputy Gilmore. Deputy Tortorella, whose vest also saved his life, said he was more aware than ever of the importance of protective body armor. “Any time you’re identify- ing yourself as a police officer – while in court, at an event, teaching at the academy, and especially on duty – you should be wearing your vest,” Joe Tortorella said. “From the moment you strap on your belt and put on your uniform, you should have your vest on.” The retreat kicked off on a Thursday in August as the officers and their families gathered at the Armor Ex- press Northern Michigan Headquarters. “This retreat gives us the opportunity to give a little back to these heroes that sac- rifice so much to protect us all every day,” said Matt Davis, president and CEO of Armor Express. Lt. Brian Murphy, who was the first responding officer to the 2012 Sikh Temple massa- cre in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, played a key role at the retreat. Lt. Murphy was shot 15 times during the altercation with the assailant. His body armor ab- sorbed three of the rounds. Brian joined the Armor Express team shortly after the Sikh temple shooting, and soon CEO Matt Davis and Brian came up with the idea for a comprehensive “Saves” program which today includes hosting saves re- treats, producing reenactment films, supporting networking via information sharing and introducing the people whose vests had saved their lives to each other. Brian also speaks to groups all over the country, always to rave reviews. Survivors share their experiences Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival. – Winston Churchill Lt. Brian Murphy, who was the first responding officer to the 2012 Sikh Temple massacre in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, played a key role at the retreat. Lt. Murphy was shot 15 times during the altercation with the assailant. His body armor absorbed three of the rounds. Officer Joe Tortorella and his family at the Saves Retreat. Joe says, “Any time you’re identifying yourself as a police officer – while in court, at an event, teaching at the acad- emy, and especially on duty – you should be wearing your vest.” Continued on next page t
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