State Sen. Kevin Eltife, at podium, announces a personal $20,000 donation to kick off a community initiative to raise $135,000 to buy new ballistic vests for Tyler police officers during a press conference Tuesday outside the main police station on West Ferguson Street in Tyler. The new vests would provide an extra layer of protection specifically from high-velocity rifle rounds and would fit over the standard-issue vests officers already wear if needed in an active shooter or other emergency situation, Chief Jimmy Toler said. Andrew D. Brosig/Tyler Morning Telegraph

1. Campaign to purchase rifle-resistant ballistic vests extended to county law enforcement
2. Public can donate online to local We Back Our Law Enforcement Campaign

Like many in the community and all across the country, State Sen. Kevin Eltife was troubled by the July 7 slaying of five Dallas Police officers.

He said all attacks on law enforcement officers are hard to reconcile, but because of Dallas’ proximity to our community it was especially painful.

Since the shooting, he said he has been repeatedly approached by citizens wanting to know the answer to one question: How do we express our support to the men an women who protect us on a daily basis? 

After speaking with Tyler Police Chief Jimmy Toler, and other officials in the department, Eltife said he learned that one of the biggest ways to make the officers feel safer would be to provide each of them with rifle-resistant vests-which are used during active shooter situations or during high-risk events and are not part of an officer’s daily uniform.

On Tuesday morning, Eltife announced that providing Tyler Police officers with those vests was one step closer to becoming a reality and that he, along with support from the city, will be holding a fundraising campaign to purchase about 198 vests, one for every officer in the Tyler Police Department.

The total cost to provide the vests to the officers will be $135,800, according to city officials. The city will pay $67,900, half of the cost. Eltife and his wife are providing an initial $20,000 donation, and the remaining $47,900 will come from community donations.

Heines said he and the CIty Council were happy to show their support for the campaign and that initiatives such as this are what have helped Tyler prosper.

“We have always talked about the importance of public-private partnerships, and that’s how we’re different and we’re successful as a small municipal government,” Heines said. “This is a great representation of that, and we’re really proud of the senator stepping forward to be a leader in this project.”

Toler said he appreciates that the campaign is taking place and that the rifle-resistant vests will give officers and their families some added peace of mind.

“We do have state-of-the-art equipment, but this additional layer of protection for our officers (will) give them that comfort they need, will give their families that comfort,” Toler said. “No matter what the cost, we want to make sure we provide for their safety and allow them to do their jobs.”

Eltife said more details about how the public can get involved in the fundraising campaign would be released in coming weeks. He said he has spoken with Smith County officials and with officials from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and would also like work with them so the vests can be provided to deputies, as well.

He added he is excited about the campaign and about the opportunity it provides the public to show their appreciation to local law enforcement.

“I think it’s important,” Eltife said. “I think it’s needed, and I think this community will overwhelmingly support these men and women who risk their lives for us every day.” 

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