Shield616 will present the Cortez Police Department with 30 new all-day rifle-rated armor on Nov. 7 at 6 p.m.
Right now, the ceremony is not open to the public, but that could change if seats are not filled by law enforcement officers and their families.
Funds for the armor were raised during the annul Tour de Shield616 on May 16-19.
In the ride during National Police Week in Washington, D.C., Cortez officers Jason Giacchino and Tyler Smith rode to honor Sgt. Michael Moran, who was killed in the line of duty in November. The ride totaled 280 miles.
The event will provide the opportunity to “encourage, pray for an officer and bring some positivity in the days and months after the ceremony,” according to organizers.
The annual ride honor those who have “given the ultimate sacrifice.” This year, the ride visited agencies where an officer had died in the line of duty.
This year, participants received a commemorative end of watch coin honoring Moran.
This year’s ride donated armor to the Cortez Police Department, Boulder Sheriff’s Office, Lake Sheriff, Alamosa Sheriff and Trinidad Police Department.
The armor is made in the U.S. and is based in Fort Collins. It was started by two brothers in 2013 as a way to help protect first responders.
The nonprofit Shield616 started out by providing active-shooter protection to Colorado Springs law enforcement agencies, but soon expanded across the U.S. They have helped provide ballistic gear in 33 states and to 360 agencies. They have helped protect over 7,400 first responders to date.
