TEXARKANA, Texas - The Texarkana, Texas, Police Department has received 83 sets of potentially life-saving, rifle-rated gear, as part of a partnership with Shield 616 and the ESPN First Responders Bowl.
TTPD is one of 10 agencies in Texas to receive the items.
A ceremony to present the officers with the gear was held Friday afternoon at Church on the Rock.
"We do this to protect our heroes while they protect us and keep us safe," said Jake Skifstad, founder and president of Shield 616.
The total amount to outfit the TTDP is $174,300, which was provided by a donor from Dallas.
Shield 616 choose to partner with Church on the Rock in Texarkana.
"The church congregation blesses the gear. They are assigned an officer and will bless that officer throughout the year," Skifstad said.
ESPN announced its partnership with Shield 616 on Sept. 16.
The three-year partnership starts with 616 officers and deputies all over the states of Texas and Oklahoma, where the officers will be outfitted with all-day, rifle-rated protection. The gear costs a total of $2,100 per law enforcement officer and includes an armor carrier, soft vest, front and back rifle plates and a helmet.
Shield 616 was formed with peace officers in mind, according to its website. The nonprofit is based in Colorado.
"We are mindful that many departments have limited budgets," the website states. "Because of that, our goal is not only to provide initial protection but to replace the gear every five years - at no cost to the peace officer, first responder or department.
"We believe that when our officers and first responders are well-equipped, we will strengthen our nation, states, communities, neighborhoods and
families."
The Texas-side officers will be represented at the First Responder Bowl halftime show on Dec. 30 at Southern Methodist University's Gerald J. Ford Stadium at 5800 Ownby Drive in Dallas.
"It will be a powerful halftime show," Skifstad said.
For more information, visit shield616.org.