On the morning of November 23, 2008, Agent Gerald Harrigan was working a security detail. During his tour, a large disturbance broke out inside listed establishment which resulted in Agent Harrigan as well as other security personnel having to respond inside in an attempt to break up the numerous fights now taking place. Once inside, Agent Harrigan approached an unknown male who was still actively involved in a disturbance, as he did Agent Harrigan was forced to deploy his issued stun gun, striking this male in the upper body. Immediately after this contact, this male pulled a small caliber handgun from his waist, pointed it at Agent Harrigan, and fired one shot, striking Agent Harrigan in the right upper chest area. Serious injury or death was averted this evening because Agent Harrigan was wearing his issued Point Blank body armor. Agent Harrigan was truly “saved by the vest.”
I am writing to you concerning a shooting incident involving one of our officers, Deputy Shannon Morris. He sustained a single gun shot wound to the right upper portion of this vest …at extreme close range (almost contact distance). I am happy to report that this vest functioned as it was designed to do and Deputy Morris suffered only a slight injury to the chest (bruising and contusions) from the impact of the bullet. For obvious reasons, Deputy Morris does not wish to work a single day without the protection of soft body armor. Thank you for making such a good product that kept Deputy Morris safe while performing his duties.
On July 29th, 2007, Officer Dustin Maratino of the Glenwood Springs Police Department was patrolling an industrial section of the City. From Officer Maratino’s recollection of the event, the first shot struck him just below the left pectoral muscle in the top of the ribs. Officer Maratino cut his uniform shirt with a pocket knife, removed the front panel of his vest, and felt behind the vest. Finding no blood at the impact point of the bullet, he conducted a head to toe assessment and found no further injuries. He later described the impact to me as being akin to “being hit by a baseball bat.” I personally observed the point of impact on Officer Maratino and firmly believe the Point Blank Ballistic Vest protected him from a best case scenario of life threatening injuries, and a high likelihood of fatal injury. I am personally and professionally grateful that the officer wore his vest that night, and that the vest was of a threat level and quality to perform at such a level of personal protection for Dustin.