Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office receives new gear

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - On Saturday, the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office's was presented with new bulletproof vest gear at Watersprings Church in Idaho Falls.

The department is receiving 30 bullet proof vests for its deputies.

The man behind the new equipment is Shield 616 founder Jake Skifstad, who was inspired to start the nonprofit after being involved in two active shooter situations during his 14 years as a police officer in Colorado Springs.  

"We as law enforcement are expected to protect our community from whatever threat comes our way, but if it's involving a rifle, we didn't have that protection," Skifstad said.

Bonneville County Sherrif Sam Hulse says Shield 616 helped to finance the armor through donations made here in the community. 

"It's a way to help us equip that armor, and also involve our community in a way that they get to meet the deputies that they're equipping with the armor, so it makes it personal," Hulse said.

To help raise money, bicyclists pedaled almost 400 miles over four days for Shield 616's first annual Idaho Border to Border Bike Ride.

The group started their ride on Thursday at the Idaho-Oregon border and will conclude their journey on Sunday in Alta, Wyoming.

A long journey that Sherrif Hulse got to take part in. 

"It's intense," Hulse said. "It's actually something I never thought I would be capable of, but with a team around you, you can accomplish a lot of things, most things."

Going forward, Bonneville County deputies will now have that extra security when out in the field. 

"No matter what situation they're in, whether they're going to a shooting, or not, whether they know it or not, they're going to have that protection," Skifstad said. "So, it's just going to give them the highest level of protection during their whole shift to keep them safe while they're out there."