John Scarffe, Gilpin County. Gilpin County residents have become active raising money for the protection of area peace officers. They are raising funds for rifle-rated vests and equipment for the County Sheriff’s Department and Black Hawk Police. Heather Newman, partners with Stuart Schultz, and Lewis and Diane Wagner have partnered with Shield616, a non-profit faith organization that supports outfitting gear to first responders and police officers. 

Shield616 was founded to provide all-day rifle protection for peace officers and first responders who sacrificially serve our communities. According to the website, “In up-armoring peace officers and first responders, we are also afforded a dynamic opportunity to provide ongoing community support in the form of regular prayer and encouragement for those who protect and serve our communities. We are determined to be light to those who serve and protect our communities.”

The organization strives to up-armor officers with all-day rifle protection, praying for and encouraging them daily as well as rallying community support. Many departments have limited budgets, so the 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. 

Gilpin County Sheriff Kevin Armstrong said he first became interested in the program a couple of years ago, when he saw a presentation at a conference. He thought this was a great opportunity for Gilpin County to engage in the community and get Gilpin County casinos to contribute for Gilpin County sheriffs and Black Hawk police officers. Armstrong said the organization helps with rifle-rated vests and the best helmet and trauma kit.

Armstrong found two sets of people to help with donations through the Sheild616 program. He contacted Newman to see if she was interested in becoming involved in the fund-raising effort, and it went well. Newman, who has lived off Magnolia Road, in Lincoln Hills and behind Taggerts, in Gilpin County since 2003, got involved in the project when she was talking to Sheriff Armstrong. 

Armstrong mentioned raising the funds for the vests, and then he called her back. Newman said she is working with Armstrong to help raise money to purchase custom-made rifle-rated vests for the Gilpin County police force. She especially wants to make sure the officer stationed at the Gilpin County School is given this vest, and it costs $2,100 per vest. 

She hopes that people make donations for this “vest” cause at church or at other organizations. They also reached out to the Wagners. Their daughter works for the Boulder County Sheriff’s Department, which also is involved with Sheild616.

The $2,100 cost for the vests seemed like a no-brainer, but they are also encouraging good relations between the officers and community, Newman said. Providing money for vests shows we care about them and shows support for our officers and what they need. The sheriff and Black Hawk Police Chief Kenneth Lloyd gave input. 

Armstrong said that after 40 years in law enforcement, he has seen the shift from handguns to rifles, which have become the weapons of choice, so they need protection from that. “It makes sense that we protect our officers.” The casinos will benefit because they will have officers who are better prepared.

The first goal is to raise $2,100 per vest, per office. The vests will be fitted and made for each officer and are rifle rated. They can wear them all day and have a fitted vest rated for rifle power, Newman said.

It seems like a lot of money, but if it would save someone’s life even once it would be worth every penny. The company facilitates donating the money and then Shields616 comes up with the vests and equipment. They do a big ceremony with donors, which is important to show gratitude for the job that they do, Newman said. 

For more information and to make a donation, go to https://shield616.org/. In the notes please indicate that this is for Gilpin County and the Black Hawk Police Department.

(Originally published in the September 12, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)