TERRELL, Texas — The City of Terrell will match local funds raised to purchase police protective gear which may also allow for the purchase of several sets of gear for firefighters.
TERRELL, Texas — The City of Terrell will match local funds raised to purchase police protective gear which may also allow for the purchase of several sets of gear for firefighters.
In the after math of police deaths in Dallas, Texas, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Terrell resident Jim Peeler, who is a pastor at a local church as well as a Dallas Police Department officer, sought to raise money to purchase body armor, ballistic helmets, gear bags, and trauma kits for the Terrell Police Department.
The Terrell Senior Community Church, where Peeler is the pastor, hosted a Back the Blue BBQ event earlier this month to help fundraise for the cause.
“Several hundred people were in attendance and a lot of money was raised on behalf of the effort,” Terrell Police Department Chief Jody L. Lay told inForney.com.
“On Monday, August 22, 2016, in the City of Terrell City Council Chambers, Jim Peeler and a number of local business owners presented Chief Jody L. Lay of the Terrell Police Department with a check in the amount of $23, 847.99,” stated Lay.
During that meeting, Terrell City Manager Torry Edwards announced the City of Terrell would be matching the donation.
“Due to the incredible showing of the public, led by Jim and Maggie Peeler of Terrell, as well as the leadership demonstrated by the City Manager, the public safety forces of the City of Terrell will soon be placing an order for the hardened body armor, helmets, gear bags and trauma kits, which allow for the purchase of these items for all personnel in the police department,” said Lay.
The Terrell Police Department SWAT Team, which has 12 members, is already equipped with special safety gear.
“The department is hoping this off-set will allow the City to purchase a number of additional sets of this specialized equipment for Fire Department personnel, who so many times are side-by-side with police in these hazardous situations,” stated Lay.
“The men and women of the police and fire departments are incredibly grateful to the citizens, as well as the City of Terrell, for this opportunity to provide additional coverage and protection for public safety personnel,” said Lay.
