A month after nonprofit SHIELD616 hosted its eighth annual Tour De Shield bike ride, the Cortez Police Department learned it will receive 30 “rifle rated” patrol carrier vests from Angel Armor through donations collected through the bike ride.
During National Police Week on May 16-19, bikers from across Colorado came together to ride across the state in honor of officers who have been killed in the line of duty.
The purpose of the ride was to raise money for Angel Armor vests for multiple law enforcement agencies in Colorado, including Cortez PD, according to SHIELD616 founder Jake Skifstad.
The ride totaled 280 miles. Jason Giacchino and Tyler Smith of the Cortez Police Department participated in honoring Cortez Sgt. Michael Moran, who was killed in the line of duty last year.
“My heart is to better protect our first responders,” Skifstad said of the ride.
The goal was to raise enough money to donate 31 Angel Armor vests to the department. The organization came close, raising enough money for 30 vests.
As of this writing, it remains unclear when the vests will arrive at the police headquarters because officers need to be measured and fitted for their individual vests before they’re ordered.
“It’s a big deal,” city public information officer Kelly Codner told The Journal.
The vests are made in the United States and will be presented to Cortez officers once they have been received by the department.
Angel Armor, which is based in Fort Collins, was started in 2013 by brothers Josh and JC Richardson with the core values of humility, integrity and perseverance.
Angel Armor was created with the goal of protecting more law enforcement officers and ensuring they return home to their families each day.
“Angel Armor exists to protect and preserve the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness for first responders and their families,” Angel Armor’s website said.
The “advanced technology” developed for Angel Armor’s vests is designed to protect first responders while also providing confidence on the job.
Similarly, SHIELD616 was created to “provide protection for first responders who sacrificially serve our communities.”
More information can be found online at shield16.org and angelarmor.com.
