Shield The Badges

Shield The Badges is an official non-profit 501(c)3 Corporation with the sole purpose of purchasing active shooter protective vests to protect Law Enforcement  Officers from active shooter rifle fire. . All proceeds will go toward outfitting Polk County Law Enforcement with these protective vests! We have just successfully outfitted all of the Lakeland Police Department Officers with these vests and are currently working on supplying vests for Lake Hamilton Police Department.

Ashton Says:
My husband has been in law enforcement for over ten years and is currently an officer with the Lakeland Police Department in Lakeland, FL. For over a year Ive heard my husband and his friends talk about the need to buy level III/IV body armor.  These vests are often called "Active Shooter Kits" and are thrown over their normal uniforms/soft vests when they have to go to a scene with the threat of a shooter. With all the recent shootings in the news the need has become prevalent and in the forefront of their minds. I wanted him to get one, but with a large price tag of about $550, there was always something else that seemed to need our more urgent attention. It broke my heart when I heard a friend saying he had ordered the carrier and a front plate…He would order a back plate and sides later when he could afford it. They were all working extra duty details to save the money to buy one. I hated that these officers put their lives on the line every day and didn’t have the tools they needed to come home safe at the end of their shift. Not that the police department didn’t want to buy this vital equipment, but that they just didn’t have the funds to do so.

This project became real to me the night of the Orlando Pulse Club shootings. I watched with horror the events unfold on television. I remember vividly when the Orlando Police Department shared the photograph of a Kevlar helmet with a bullet hole that saved the life of one of their officers. If not for that helmet he would have surely been killed. I was so emotional and overwhelmed. This was just an hour from our house and it registered with me that this could happen to anyone at any time. In an emotional outburst on Facebook I posted a comment stating “My husband will be ordering a level IV bullet proof vest TONIGHT” The response I received was absolutely overwhelming! Within minutes I received several comments and personal emails asking about the vests. Many friends say “Hey I want to donate $50” or “What can I do to help”. Without even asking, in about half an hour, I had enough offers to cover buying a few vests! I was completely touched by the generosity and response. 

The Dallas shootings were just days later. We watched in horror the terrible events unfold on television. I never thought I would see police officers being targeted soley based on their profession. I was terrified for the safety of my husband and his co-workers. Friends again sent me messages asking if I had gotten the vest yet and if not, why? They were desperate to help in any way they could. Then the idea came to me....This was something that really touched people hearts and was something that spoke to them. It seemed impossible to them that a police officer didn’t have the tools he needed to perform his job.  Theses vests could help save a life! Once I realized what a big deal this was and how many people would want to help I knew we needed to try to get donations to buy every officer at the police department a rifle vest. I asked my company, local gun store, Derringer Firearms, to help promote and endorse the project.

Derringer Firearms was happy to help. They already have a large Facebook following committed to supporting local law enforcement officers. The “Support Law Enforcement” sign campaign they run has had huge success and I hoped with their help we could make this happen.  

Together we formed a non-profit corporation that we named "Shield The Badges" to promote awareness of this issue and to help raise funds to buy these active shooter kits for local law enforcement.

Shield the Badges has committed to get as many as we can! We successfully raised enough donations to buy 240 vests for the Lakeland Police Department. This was enough to outfit all their sworn officers. We are currently working on raising funds to purchase vests for all of the Lake Hamilton Police Department. We will continue to post updates as the project continues. Thank you for your help and support. Please contact Derringer Firearms [phone redacted] with any questions about the project.

Dan Says:

Let's Protect those who Protect Us and Our way of life
 
Since the tragedy of 9/11, Islamic Terrorists have escalated their reign of terror and expanded their network of death throughout the world.  In addition to targeting Christians, Jews, and basically anyone not believing in their Quran and Sharia Law, these haters have recently decided to focus their assassins toward Police Officers.  With domestic groups like Black Lives Matters also chanting "death threats" towards law enforcement, our way of life is being threatened like never before. 

We believe citizens of the US need to stand up and be counted, and let law enforcement know "we have your back".

Derringer Firearms, our small gun store in Lakeland, Fl., has dedicated ourselves to raising awareness by handing out "Support Law Enforcement" signs and bumper stickers, at no charge, to anyone vising our store.  

More recently, after the deaths of officers in Dallas, Baton Rouge, and elsewhere, Derringer Firearms became aware that law enforcement officers needed additional protection. Due to the added risk to officers on the street, ownership of Derringer Firearms decided to raise money to help buy rifle body armor for local officers. We formed a separate corporation, Shield The Badges, with this goal in mind. 

Because each unit costs around $300.00 (with bulk discounts) the task at hand is sizeable.  We believe with the community's help, and help from other companies and citizens  we can better protect those that bravely protect our city and preserve our way of life.  Please help Shield The Badges with this important project. 

Thank you,
 
Dan Derringer