Thanks to a recent donation from the Fraternal Order of Police, 13 officers were recently fitted for bulletproof vests.

The donation, which was made possible through the Alabama State FOP Lodge and Andalusia Lodge #19, is valued at more than $8,000, said Bill Law, state FOP lodge trustee.

“We were able to outfit 10 deputies at the Covington County Sheriff’s Office and three for members of the Red Level Police Department,” Law said. “The FOP has an ongoing program to supply bulletproof vests to smaller departments that would not be able to purchase them from their limited budgets. These are tough times for every department and we’re so pleased to be able to help provide a means for officer safety.

“The FOP tries to take care of its own,” he said.

The vest program is funded through the sale of the FOP car tags, and as well as a state lodge sponsored telephone solicitation program. Vests are custom fitted to each individual officer, he said.

Law said Gantt Police Chief Chris Byrd has requested two vests, and the FOP is currently in the process of securing vests for that department.

“In the past few years, vests have been given to the Opp Police Department and the Covington County Sheriff s Office, as well as the Crenshaw County Sheriff’s Office and the Florala Police Department,” he said.

These most recent donations were made at the request of Chief Deputy David Anderson and Red Level Chief Howard West.