Safariland, a brand of The Safariland Group, hosted its annual SAVES CLUB Presentation on April 11, 2024, at its Jacksonville, FL, headquarters. The Safariland SAVES CLUB recognizes and honors officers who endured a life-threatening incident while in the line of duty, in which their Safariland Group armor or gear played a crucial role in saving their lives.
"The event serves as a platform to celebrate the bravery and resilience of the remarkable 2,193 SAVES members. We are excited to welcome three officers to share their inspiring SAVES stories," said Brad Williams, president of Safariland. "These officers have not only survived life-threatening situations but have also become advocates for the law enforcement community. They are living proof of Safariland's creed: Together, We Save Lives."
Safariland hosted officer Genevieve Bone, SAVES number 2186, from the Memphis Police Department. On Sept. 3, 2023, Officer Bone responded to an armed-party disturbance at a convenience store. Despite facing a suspect armed with guns, knives and a hand grenade, Officer Bone fearlessly confronted the assailant. She sustained three strikes to her chest with a fixed-blade knife. Thanks to her Safariland XT03 level II armor, Officer Bone's life was spared, and she successfully apprehended the suspect, who has since been charged with attempted second-degree murder.
Officer Derek Williams from the Dallas Police Department, SAVES number 2185, was also honored. On Sept. 14, 2023, Officer Williams and his partner witnessed a suspect commit a homicide. During the pursuit, the assailant opened fire with a handgun, hitting Officer Williams in the lower right abdominal area. Fortunately, his Safariland SX02 Level IIIA armor stopped the round. The Dallas SWAT team later apprehended the assailant, and Officer Williams has since returned to full duty.
The third honored SAVES member was narcotics detective Sean Stumpf from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, SAVES number 2168. On Jan. 2, 2023, Detective Stumpf and his partner engaged in a high-stakes pursuit of a suspect who had taken the life of the Chief of Police of a local agency earlier that day and injured another officer. During the pursuit, the suspect opened fire with a full-automatic pistol, hitting Detective Stumpf in the arm and center of his chest. His Safariland SM02 Level II Armor protected his chest, and he was able to return fire alongside his partner, ultimately ending the threat. After undergoing surgery, Detective Stumpf made a full recovery and is back on active duty.
Safariland is honored to recognize these brave officers and their unwavering commitment to protecting their communities. The SAVES CLUB event will serve as a testament to Safariland's commitment to providing high-quality protective equipment to the law enforcement community and reaffirm their dedication to prioritizing officer safety.
