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hardwire armor saves
The following harrowing tales are the lived experiences of those saved by Hardwire armor. The noted Safariland SAVES were recorded and shared by the Safariland SAVES Club.
Image Description: 2023 Hardwire SAVES Event - Hardwire CEO, George Tunis, introduces LEOs who's lives were saved by Hardwire armor.
Deputy Aaron Reynolds
SAVE DATE | 1/18/24
Broadwater County Sheriff's Office, MT
On January 18, 2024, the Montana Highway Patrol was pursuing a vehicle southbound on Highway 287. Deputy Aaron Reynolds of the Broadwater County Sheriff’s Office was traveling North on Highway 287 and slowing down to let the pursuit pass him so he could then join in to assist. As Deputy Reynolds slowed and pulled to the right to allow the pursuit to pass, he activated his emergency lights. The suspect swerved and struck Deputy Reynolds’s vehicle head on at approximately 100 mph. The suspect was fatally injured but Deputy Reynolds survived. Doctors credit his Safariland® Hardwire® .68 level IIIA armor worn in an Oregon City Carrier with protecting his torso.
Explore the Hardwire® Armor Solution that SAVED Deputy Reynolds: Hardwire® Level IIIA Soft Armor
Officer Shayden Nagle
SAVE DATE | 4/8/24
Idaho Falls Police Department, ID
On April 8, 2024, Idaho Falls Police Officers responded to a call at the Econo Lodge on Broadway Avenue to evict a tenant who refused to leave. Due to prior knowledge of the man involved, officers took extra precautions, including bringing a ballistic shield. Upon entering the room and attempting to communicate with the occupants, officers were met with gunfire from the bathroom. Officer Nagle, one of the three officers in the room, was protected by his Hardwire ballistic shield as shots were fired. Officers returned fire, hitting the suspect, Robert Flores. The SWAT team was activated and eventually took Flores into custody after a standoff. Flores, now facing multiple charges, is receiving medical care. Officer Nagle's use of the Hardwire shield was crucial in preventing injury during the incident.
Explore the Hardwire® Armor Solution that SAVED Officer Nagle: Hardwire Tactical Shields
Further Incident Details: Officer Shayden Nagle
Officer Victoria Reilly
SAVE DATE | 9/16/23
Detroit Police Department, MI
On September 16, 2023, Officer Victoria Reilly was enroute to a priority one call of a home invasion when she was involved in a serious auto accident. Officer Reilly suffered a concussion but thanks to her Safariland® Hardwire® level II armor, Officer Reilly sustained no injuries to the area protected by her armor. Officer Reilly has returned to full duty.
Explore the Hardwire Armor Solution that SAVED Officer Reilly: Hardwire® Level II Soft Armor
DEPUTY JEREMY MCKENNA
SAVE DATE | 6/30/23
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, OR
On the morning of June 30th, 2023, deputies from the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office responded to a burglary in progress. After making contact with the suspects in an open field behind the business where the burglary took place, one suspect began to flee while the other one pulled a 9mm pistol out and started firing. Deputy Jeremy McKenna was hit in the abdomen, fracturing his pelvis and once in the left side of his chest. Deputy McKenna’s Safariland Hardwire Level IIIA armor stopped the round to his chest. The suspect also shot Deputy Dan Blair in the left arm. Deputies returned fire as the suspect fled and the suspect was arrested a few moments later. Additional deputies arrived and provided first aid to Deputy McKenna and Deputy Blair. Both deputies have since made full recoveries. The suspect is facing multiple felony charges.
Explore the Hardwire® Armor Solution that SAVED Deputy McKenna: Hardwire® Level IIIA Soft Armor
DEPUTY SHAUN O’BANNION
SAVE DATE | 8/17/23
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
On August 17, 2023, a U.S. Marshals Task Force approached a residence in an attempt to locate a fugitive wanted for shooting a Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy several days prior. As they made entry into the residence, the fugitive opened fire on the officers from the second story with a .9mm handgun. Deputy Shaun O’Bannion was shot in the shoulder and back. Officers were able to tactically retreat and officers, including Deputy O’Bannion, held the perimeter until SWAT arrived. Deputy O’Bannion’s Safariland Shift 360 Carrier Ballistic shoulder strap with MR02 armor deflected the shot to his shoulder and his Hardwire Model 3000 plate stopped the round to his back. The fugitive was taken into custody after a five-hour standoff.
SERGEANT ERIK BULLOCK
SAVE DATE | 4/30/23
Philadelphia Police Department SWAT, PA
On April 30, 2023, a component of the Philadelphia Police Department’s SWAT team was dealing with an armed, barricaded suspect. As negotiations broke down, Officer Michael Laverghetta was charged with breaching the door so the contact team could confront the armed suspect and end the standoff. As Officer Laverghetta breached the door, the suspect opened fire with a 12ga shotgun from a position of cover. Officer Laverghetta’s bicep protector was hit, and teammates pulled him to a position of safety. Additional officers moved in, and Sgt. Erik Bullock led a contact team and was clearing a bedroom. The suspect again opened fire and Sgt. Bullock was hit in the bicep protector and cummerbund. He was able to return fire, and the suspect was taken into custody. Both officers’ Safariland Hardwire .68 armor stopped the 12ga shots, and neither had penetrating wounds.
Explore the Hardwire® Armor Solution that SAVED Sergeant Bullock: Hardwire® Level IIIA Soft Armor
OFFICER MICHAEL LAVERGHETTA
SAVE DATE | 4/30/23
Philadelphia Police Department SWAT, PA
On April 30, 2023, a component of the Philadelphia Police Department’s SWAT team was dealing with an armed, barricaded suspect. As negotiations broke down, Officer Michael Laverghetta was charged with breaching the door so the contact team could confront the armed suspect and end the standoff. As Officer Laverghetta breached the door, the suspect opened fire with a 12ga shotgun from a position of cover. Officer Laverghetta’s bicep protector was hit, and teammates pulled him to a position of safety. Additional officers moved in, and Sgt. Erik Bullock led a contact team and was clearing a bedroom. The suspect again opened fire and Sgt. Bullock was hit in the bicep protector and cummerbund. He was able to return fire, and the suspect was taken into custody. Both officers’ Safariland Hardwire .68 armor stopped the 12ga shots, and neither had penetrating wounds.
Explore the Hardwire® Armor Solution that SAVED Officer Laverghetta: Hardwire® Level IIIA Soft Armor
#2,170 | SAFARILAND SAVES CLUB: Officer Michael Laverghetta
OFFICER THOMAS FITZPATRICK
SAVE DATE | 10/12/22
Philadelphia Police Department SWAT, PA
On October 12, 2022, members of the Philadelphia Police Department SWAT Team were serving a homicide warrant. As they knocked and announced, the assailant inside the building opened fire through the door and windows. Officer Thomas Fitzpatrick was struck on the front panel and plate of his armor. His Safariland vest equipped with Hardwire .68 ballistics and Hardwire 007-015-6110 ICW plate stopped the .45ACP round. Members of the team returned fire and neutralized the assailant. Officer Fitzpatrick was treated and released the same day.
Here it from tj
Officer Fitzpatrick spoke at Hardwire's Armor Saves event in 2023, hear him recount his save in the video!
Explore the Hardwire® Armor Solution that SAVED Officer Fitzpatrick: Hardwire® Level IIIA Soft Armor
SERGEANT KEVIN T. CREED
SAVE DATE | 10/28/22
Aiken County Sheriff's Office, SC
On October 28, 2022, Sergeant Kevin T. Creed was part of a Special Operations Team that was searching a mobile home for a suspect wanted for murder. Sgt. Creed entered and began to clear a small bedroom when he noticed the closet door was partially open. Sgt. Creed moved to the door and the suspect, who was hiding behind the door, opened fire with a .9mm. One round hit Sgt. Creed’s Safariland PROTECH FAV armor’s throat protector, armored with Hardwire .68 Level IIIA ballistics. Had it not been for the throat protector stopping the round, the wound would most likely have been fatal. The assailant was taken into custody and faces multiple felony charges. Sgt Creed has returned to full duty.
Hear it from Kevin
Sgt. Creed spoke at Hardwire's Armor Saves event in 2023, hear him recount his save in the video!
Explore the Hardwire® Armor Solution that SAVED Sergeant Creed: Hardwire® Level IIIA Soft Armor
OFFICER DONALD MURDOCH
SAVE DATE | 2/11/22
Philadelphia Police Department SWAT, PA
On February 11, 2022 Officer Donald Murdoch was part of a SWAT Team component that was sent to serve a warrant on a suspected drug lab in Philadelphia. Once the officers ascended the 3 story staircase and were in position, they began breaching the door. During the breach, the suspect opened fire with a 9mm, shooting through the wall at the officers on the staircase. Officer Donald Murdoch was struck once in the chest. Thankfully, the round was stopped by his Safariland® Shift 360™ system – made up of Hardwire®.68 Level IIIA ballistics and a Hardwire® ICW plate . The SWAT Team continued the breach, causing the suspect to flee out the window. The suspect surrendered after taking fire from the SWAT officers positioned at the rear of the property.
Here it from Don
Sgt. Murdoch spoke at Hardwire's Armor Saves event in 2023, hear him recount his save in the video!
DEPUTY BREANTON CHITWOOD
SAVE DATE | 8/16/21
Clay County Sheriff's Office, TX
On August 16, 2021, Deputy Breanton Chitwood of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office made a traffic stop near Jolly, Texas. As Deputy Chitwood got to the driver’s door of the suspect’s vehicle, the driver fired one round from a .38 revolver striking Deputy Chitwood in the chest. Deputy Chitwood stayed in the fight and moved to cover while returning fire, as the suspect fled the scene. The perpetrator was captured 2 days later and is currently awaiting trial on multiple felony charges. Deputy Chitwood was treated and released the same evening as the incident for the gunshot to the chest. His Hardwire® .68 Level IIIA armor stopped the round.
Explore the Hardwire® Armor Solution that SAVED Deputy Chitwood: Hardwire® Level IIIA Soft Armor
#2,117 | SAFARILAND SAVES CLUB: Deputy Breanton Chitwood
Sergeant Cory Ryan
SAVE DATE | 10/16/20
Lyons Police Department, KS
On October 16, 2020, Sergeant Cory Ryan responded to a neighborhood dispute where a man who was cutting his lawn was being threatened by his neighbor who was armed with a gun. Upon Sgt. Ryan’s arrival he went to talk to the neighbor and the suspect opened fire. Sgt. Ryan was shot 6 times. He was hit 2 times in the face, once in the armpit, and 3 times on his armor. Sgt. Ryan was able to return fire and begin to move away from his assailant. A civilian couple who was driving past the house stopped and moved their car close to Sgt. Ryan and called to him to use it for cover. Sgt. Ryan got to the car and the couple pulled him in and drove him to the hospital. The assailant also shot the neighbor, a local schoolteacher, and coach. Officers arrived and rescued the wounded teacher and a tactical standoff ensued. The assailant eventually surrendered. The wounded teacher is recovering and in good spirits. Sgt. Ryan was moved to a hospital in Wichita the day of the shooting and it was determined his Safariland® Hardwire® Level IIIA armor had stopped all 3 rounds to his torso. He underwent multiple surgeries to the wounds off the armor and spent nearly 2 weeks in the hospital. He has returned home and hopes to return to duty soon.
Explore the Hardwire® Armor Solution that SAVED Sergeant Ryan: Hardwire® Level IIIA Soft Armor
#2,099 | SAFARILAND SAVES CLUB: Sergeant Cory Ryan
Corporal detective james b. stanley
SAVE DATE | 6/2/20
Fort Smith Police Department, AR
On June 2, 2020, Corporal Detective James B. Stanley, along with other detectives, was searching an apartment looking for a homicide suspect. During the search, detectives were unaware that there were two separate doors leading to the pantry/laundry room. As Detective Stanley entered from one direction armed with a 12-gauge shotgun, a second detective entered from the other direction and saw only the barrel of the shotgun and opened fire. Detective Stanley was hit in the hand and the chest with one 9mm 147 grain bonded Golden Saber round. His PROTECH® vest with the Hardwire® 007-015-3000 plate and HW 2015 09 armor stopped the round. Detective Stanley was treated for the wound to his hand and later stated that he never felt the bullet that hit his chest. We welcome Corporal Detective James B. Stanley as SAVE #2080, to The Safariland Group SAVES CLUB®. Of note: This is The Safariland Group’s first recorded save with Hardwire armor.