ONTARIO, Calif., Dec. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Safariland Group ("Safariland" or "the Company"), a leading global provider of safety and survivability products for public safety, military, professional and outdoor markets, announces the addition of SAVE #2000 to its SAVES CLUB®. For 45 years, The Safariland Group, through its SAVES CLUB, has recognized officers who have survived a life-threatening incident while wearing Safariland armor and/or protective equipment. On September 24, 2017, New Castle, Indiana K-9 Police Officer Brandy Pierce became the Company's 2000th armor save, as she survived a gunshot to the chest while wearing Safariland's ABA® XT03 level II armor.
"As an officer, it's something you prepare for and understand is a daily possibility," Officer Pierce said. "Every day, when I put on my armor, I'm reminded of what could have been without its protection, and I'm grateful to still be here to continue the work that I do."
On the night of the incident, Officer Pierce and her K-9 Lex were responding to a call regarding a suspect breaking into vehicles. As she arrived on scene, the suspect fled on a bicycle; Officer Pierce released her K-9, who immediately pursued and detained the suspect. As Officer Pierce closed in to take the suspect into custody, he produced a .45 ACP handgun and shot Officer Pierce at close range directly in the chest. Safariland's level II armor stopped the bullet and allowed her to stay in the fight. Officer Pierce was treated at the hospital and has since returned to full duty.
"We are humbled to recognize these brave men and women such as Officer Pierce, who put their lives on the line every day," said Scott O'Brien, president of Safariland. "Working with our partners, we continually innovate and engineer best-in-class armor products to protect those who protect us. We truly live by our Company mission, 'Together, We Save Lives', and our goal is to ensure those wearing our products return home to their families after their shifts."
Armor Technical Specialist and SAVES CLUB Manager for Safariland, Ed Hinchey said, "Two-thousand lives saved with our armor is an incredible milestone, but these individuals are much more than just a number to us. We are honored to say they have become part of the Safariland family and serve as daily reminders that what we do makes a difference."
Hinchey is a testament to this, as he was also inducted into The Safariland Group SAVES CLUB in 2005, as SAVE #941.
Officer Brandy Pierce, alongside fellow SAVES CLUB members Paramedic Danielle Kamenar and Police Constable Adam Koch, will be recognized and will share their stories at a special Safariland SAVES Presentation. The presentation will be held at 3 p.m. [PT] on Wednesday, January 24, 2018, at the SHOT (Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade) Show, in Las Vegas, booth #12762.
About The Safariland Group
The Safariland Group is a leading global provider of a broad range of safety and survivability products designed for the public safety, military, professional and outdoor markets. The Safariland Group offers a number of recognized brand names in these markets including Safariland®, Med-Eng®, Safariland® Armor, Safariland® VIEVU®, Mustang Survival®, Bianchi®, Break Free®, PROTECH® Tactical, Defense Technology®, Hatch®, Monadnock®, Identicator® and NIK®. The Safariland Group's mission, "Together, We Save Lives", is inherent in the lifesaving and protective products it delivers. The Safariland Group is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. The Safariland Group is a trade name of Safariland, LLC.
For more information about The Safariland Group, please visit www.safariland.com. To read about other Safariland SAVES, visit www.safariland.com/saves-posts.
