After reading an article about how a bullet-proof vest saved the life of a policeman who was shot three times during a late night traffic stop, Lisa Norwood of Bruce wondered how much protection officers in Calhoun County have.
“I just started calling around to see what each of our police departments had,” Norwood said.
She discovered virtually every police department, as well as the sheriff’s department, needed new bullet proof vests.
Lisa Norwood
“Bruce (Police) and the sheriff’s department both had several that were expiring or already expired,” Norwood said. “The vests only last five years before they have to be replaced. Calhoun City (Police) didn’t have any.”
“I just decided I wanted to do something,” Norwood said. “I thought it was important to try and do something to help protect them while they’re out there at night protecting us.”
She initiated a fundraising campaign with a number of friends and supporters called “Blue Lives Matter.” They are currently selling chances on a pair of Ole Miss and Mississippi State Yeti coolers, t-shirts featuring the organization’s logo, and car stickers with all proceeds going toward the cost of purchasing new bullet proof vests for all policemen, deputies and constables in the county.
Each vest costs $660. Grants are available to pay for up to half the costs.
Norwood said once enough money is raised to pay for all of the vests, additional funds will go toward body cameras and cameras for the dashes of all the patrol cars.
“Our goal is to help provide as much of the equipment as possible to improve the safety for all our officers,” Norwood said.
A bank account has been established at Renasant in Calhoun City to accept donations. You may also purchase tickets/tshirts at the Bruce Chamber Office, Artifacts, Cut-n-Up Salon, Something to Talk About, Kim & Company and Dr. Pullen’s dental office in Bruce; Judges Creations, Buck’s One Stop, and 7C Outfitters in Calhoun City; Edmondson Library and Sweet Potato Sweets in Vardaman; Extension Office and The Country Basket in Pittsboro.
