The Cortez Police Department was awarded 30 rifle rated vests at an event in City Council chambers on Monday, Dec. 2, at 6 p.m.
A Colorado Springs-based company called Shield616 traveled to the area to formally award the department Angel Armor, which can withstand bullets fired from a rifle.
“Angel Armor is the best stuff that’s out there, and we’re honored that you’re getting the best protection,” said Jake Skifstad, the founder of Shield616, to the crowded room of local law enforcement, their families and the community.
The standard vests officers had worn up to this point could only protect against handguns, said Interim Chief Andy Brock.
“It’s night and day,” said Brock. “It’s the best protection we can have.”
Shield616 has helped protect 8,357 first responders across 360 agencies in 34 states, and the 30 vests Cortez just received is enough to outfit the whole department.
“Every certified officer will get one,” Brock said.
This was largely made possible by what many have referred to as a “crazy” bike ride that Shield616 puts on each year in an effort to raise funds.
It’s called the Tour De Shield, and it’s a roughly 300-mile ride over four days in Colorado.
The route changes year to year, as does the department they want to “bless,” Skifstad said.
After Sgt. Michael Moran was killed on duty Nov. 29, 2023, they chose to bless Cortez.
“I heard about the ride while I was on vacation,” said officer Jason Giacchino, one of the two officers from the Cortez Police Department to participate in the “crazy” ride.
“When I got back, I said I’d like to go and help the department get new vests. They said no problem, no one was signing up,” said Giacchino. “Mike wasn’t one to work out, but for some reason I wanted to do it.”
Tyler Smith, the other Cortez officer to do the ride, remembered it as a “tour through the Front Range.”
“It’s finally come together, and I’m grateful,” said Smith. “A big thank-you to everyone who made this happen: Shield616, the community, the officers.”
During the 252.3-mile ride in May through Colorado Springs, Golden, Boulder, Estes Park and Loveland, the riders raised $188,581 of its $220,000 goal.
There were 19 participants – seven of which were first responders – and they gained 12,500 feet in elevation over the four-day ride. They also consumed five Colorado Cherry Co. pies, and had only two flat tires and zero injuries, besides soreness.
That money they raised helped purchase more than 70 Angel Armor vests for six agencies in Colorado: Cortez, the Alamosa Sheriff’s Office, Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado Springs Police Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Trinidad Police Department.
Cortez was “blessed” as it received the largest allocation of vests of all the agencies.
At the event Monday, Skifstad told the story of Shield616, and how his time as a police officer in Colorado Springs for more than a decade is what inspired him to start it.
During his service, he was involved in two active shootings; one of which was the Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood shooting in 201, which killed three people.
“We went up against guys who’s only intent that day was to kill as many people as they could, and they didn’t care who,” Skifstad said.
He said the officers had on standard vests, which wouldn’t withstand shots from a rifle.
“How am I supposed to protect my community from whatever threat that comes their way, but if it involves a rifle, I have no protection against it?” he said.
Officers have to train themselves to go against human nature to go to a threat and try to stop it, “all the while knowing they have no protection against it,” Skifstad said.
“I’ll tell you guys, it’s hard,” he said.
He then invited the 22 officers from the Cortez Police Department in attendance to come to the front of the chambers and stand behind their new vests, which were displayed on tables with the Angel Armor inserts laid out in front of them.
The officers made their way up there and took turns introducing themselves and saying how long they’d been in the area, at the job.
After, they were thanked for their service as the audience stood and clapped.
Next, the audience was invited to go and find the officer they were paired with via magnet; on top of the Angel Armor, in front of each vest, were two magnets: One with an officer’s name and work email on it, and another with the name of an audience member and their contact information.
“They’re on a magnet for a reason,” said Skifstad. “We all go to the fridge – some more than others – but I want you to put this magnet on your fridge to remind you (of them) … because I can guarantee they’re having a tough day. Please say a prayer for them. Maybe today’s the day you reach out and treat them to coffee or lunch.”
“You will be blessed getting to know your law enforcement, and you all,” he said, motioning to the officers, “will be blessed getting to know your community.”
And so everyone got up and went looking for the officer they were paired with and shook their hand, said hello. Then, the audience members were instructed to stand behind the officers.
“Remember this moment when you’re having a bad day, of all these good people standing here behind you, seeing the good work you do,” said Skifstad. “You are making a difference in the community.”
