SPRINGFIELD — The Clark County Sheriff’s Office announced the purchase of new safety equipment for deputies at a news conference Tuesday afternoon.
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This comes after two deputies, Suzanne Hopper and Matthew Yates, were killed in the line of duty within the past 12 years.
The department purchased ballistic weapons shields deputies can use to protect themselves from gunfire.
“It’s a great honor to supply our crews with another tool to save their lives,” said Clark County Sheriff Deb Burchett.
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office was able to purchase this life saving equipment thanks in part to a “Hero in Blue” fundraiser from Brandeberry Winery to honor both Deputy Hopper and Deputy Yates.
Hopper was shot and killed in the line of duty on January 1, 2011.
Yates died from his injuries on July 24 after being shot at a Clark County mobile home park.
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For each “Hero in Blue” wine bottle sold, Brandeberry donated four dollars to Clark County law enforcement so they can buy the equipment.
“We do a lot of fundraisers at the winery,” said Kelly Brandeberry. “This one has definitely been the most received and backed by the community.”
The winery donated more than $13,000 thanks to the fundraiser.
This along with funds from the Clark County Deputy Lodge #209 and Yate’s wife, Tracy, allowed the department to purchase 60 protective shields, one for each deputy and each of their cruisers, according to Sheriff Burchett.
“We have another tool for our officers to use out there when our deputies are in a bad situation,” she said.
The shields were issued last week.
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Tracy Yates, the wife of Deputy Yates, was also at the announcement.
News Center’s Gabrielle Enright says she has been an advocate for more safety equipment and this protective shield could have saved her husband’s life.
“I think he would have grabbed it. I think he would have taken it,” she said. “Now, it’s there for the other deputies that I care very deeply about and I don’t want this to happen to anybody else.”
She also thanked everyone for their support since his passing.
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Sheriff Burchett said they think of Deputy Yates everyday and miss him terribly.
“It’s something that is not going away,” she said. “He was the most special person.”