The Safariland Group has announced the addition of save number 2,000 to its Saves Club. On Sept. 24, New Castle (IN) Police K-9 handler Officer Brandy Pierce survived a gunshot to the chest while wearing Safariland’s ABA XT03 NIJ level II armor.

On the night of the incident, Officer Pierce and her K-9 Lex were responding to a call regarding a suspect breaking into vehicles. As she arrived on scene, the suspect fled on a bicycle; Officer Pierce released her K-9, who immediately pursued and detained the suspect. As Officer Pierce closed in to take the suspect into custody, he produced a .45 caliber handgun and shot Pierce at close range directly in the chest, police report. Safariland’s level II armor stopped the bullet and allowed her to stay in the fight. Pierce was treated at the hospital and has since returned to full duty.

“As an officer, it’s something you prepare for and understand is a daily possibility,” Pierce said. “Every day when I put on my armor, I’m reminded of what could have been without its protection, and I’m grateful to still be here to continue the work that I do.”

“We are humbled to recognize these brave men and women such as Officer Pierce, who put their lives on the line every day,” said Scott O’Brien, president of Safariland. “Working with our partners, we continually innovate and engineer best-in-class armor products to protect those who protect us. We truly live by our company mission, ‘Together, We Save Lives’, and our goal is to ensure those wearing our products return home to their families after their shifts.” 

Armor Technical Specialist and Safariland Saves Club Manager Ed Hinchey said, “Two-thousand lives saved with our armor is an incredible milestone, but these individuals are much more than just a number to us. We are honored to say they have become part of the Safariland family and serve as daily reminders that what we do makes a difference.”

Hinchey is a testament to this, as he was also inducted into The Safariland Group Saves Club in 2005, as Save number 941.

Officer Pierce, alongside fellow Saves Club members Paramedic Danielle Kamenar and Police Constable Adam Koch, will be recognized and will share their stories at a special Safariland Saves presentation. The presentation will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at the Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show, in Las Vegas, booth #12762.

For more information about The Safariland Group, please visit www.safariland.com. To read about other Safariland SAVES, visit www.safariland.com/saves-posts.