Donations from a local organization will assist the Ironton Police Department in purchasing life-saving equipment.

Tuesday, August 03, 1999

Donations from a local organization will assist the Ironton Police Department in purchasing life-saving equipment.

Ironton Fraternal Order of Eagles 895 recently presented IPD Chief Rodney McFarland and Ironton Mayor Bob Cleary with a $1,000 donation for the purchase of ballistic vests and similar equipment.

The donation is just in time to help the city take advantage of a new federal program that will provide the department with more purchasing power, McFarland explained.

"With the federal program, there is a 50 percent split between us and the government," McFarland said. "There is no limit on the purchase, and we will pay half the bill and the government will pay half the bill."

With the Eagle’s donation alone, the city will be able to purchase $2,000 in equipment.

"We try to help all the local law-enforcement and public service agencies with donations whenever we can," Eagles president Johnny L. Hackworth said following the donation ceremony last week. "It’s important that they have all the equipment they need, and that is why we make donations like this – to help them get this kind of equipment."

Bullet-proof vests are just one of the necessary items on the city department’s wish list.

"We’re purchasing new personal body armor with the money," McFarland said. "This is the kind of equipment the officers need to be protected while performing their duties."

And, this equipment will ensure the officers are as protected as possible in life-endangering situations, Cleary said.

"The Eagles’ donation is very generous, not just on a monetary level, but on also because of what this money will be used for," Cleary said. "This money will be used to purchase the personal body armor that could very well save an officer’s life."

Without donations from civic and other organizations like the Eagles, some city programs and equipment purchases would not exist, he added.

"Donations from several organizations and individuals have made it possible over the years for the city residents to benefit from extra programs and added services, so the city always is most appreciative to receive them," he said. "The city police department’s drug dog program is a fine example of a program that benefits the entire community and it was made possible by donations.

"The new equipment that the officers will gain with the help of this donation is another of the ways the community can pull together in a way that everyone wins."