HC Sheriff’s Office awarded $7k 50/50 grant

The Henry County Sheriff's Office purchased new equipment with a $7,000 grant they were awarded from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation.

The Sheriff's Office purchased 11 rifle grade body armor and personnel medical kits through the grant - one for every full-time deputy and for the sheriff - which will give deputies added protection when responding to high-risk calls.

Henry County Sheriff Rich McNamee said they are honored to have been awarded the grant and are thankful to have more gear to protect Henry County Sheriff's deputies when they are responding to high-risk calls.

'We haven't had a major active shooter event in Henry County, but if you listen to any national news, they're out every day,” McNamee said. 'There was just an officer shot in Fulton County, Ill., yesterday, just across the river from us. Unfortunately, it's way too common.”

The body armor includes a vest carrier with attachments and ballistic helmets. The vest carrier equipment and plates were purchased through RMA Armament out of Centerville. The ballistic helmets were purchased through Hard Headed Veterans, a company ran and owned by military veterans.

The medical kits will allow deputies to provide immediate lifesaving first aid to themselves and others.

The total cost of the equipment was $9,560, with 50 percent of the cost paid for through the Washington County Riverboat Foundation grant. McNamee said the Riverboat Foundation will reimburse the Sheriff's Office 50 percent of the cost of the equipment.