CADILLAC -- The Wexford County Sheriff's Office has purchased six sets of new body armor.

Deputy Robert Swanson felt the new protection was needed to keep officers safe while on the job, and to enable them to stay in dangerous situations longer. While officials wear vests everyday as part of their uniform, part of the new armor includes a heavier vest. Wearing what they have now, if an officer is hit with a bullet from a rifle, it can easily knock the wind out of them or break their ribs - sidelining them from combat. However, with the new vests, the heavier material will enable an officer to stay in. Swanson noted that this is particularly important in Northern MI, where so many offenders have hunting rifles.

The gear included a helmet and tourniquet, and a bag to carry it all in as well.

The Sheriff's Office said they will have 5 patrol cars outfitted with the armor duffle, and the other will be used for the canine unit.

At six hundred dollars a piece, the Office is very grateful to the community. Fox Motors, Northwestern Bank, West Michigan Credit Union, and an anonymous donor all contributed to meet the $3,600 cost. The donors were recognized today and given certificates of appreciation.

Deputy Swanson talked about how thankful all of the officials are to their community, and hope it makes them feel safer. He stated, "Without these, our officers might not be able to stay in the fight. So hopefully with these, #1 - it'll inspire confidence in our officers responding to those incidents, and #2 - if they are/if they do have to use them, and they come in contact with something like that they might be able to stay in the fight and save other people's lives."