MADISON CO – Madison County Sheriff John Mehr announced that sheriff’s deputies will benefit from a grant just received that will provide additional bulletproof vests.

The Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP), created by the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1998 is a unique U.S. Department of Justice initiative designed to provide a critical resource to state and local law enforcement.

This $18,198.00 grant will produce approximately 60 new vests that may be in service before the year’s end.  These vests will be used by both Deputies and Reserves.

This program is responsible for saving the lives of at least 33 law enforcement and corrections officers in 20 different states.

Sheriff Mehr confirmed that the Madison County Sheriff’s Office has  a mandatory-vest- wear policy in the Patrol Division.