Photo caption: Springfield Armory CEO Dennis Reese (left) presents one of the pistols to Ozark Police Chief Gary Launderville.
Springfield Armory has donated guns and equipment to the city of Lake Ozark (MO) Police Department to ensure its officers can effectively protect and serve the law-abiding citizens in its jurisdiction. The effort was spearheaded by Springfield Armory CEO Dennis Reese and equips every officer with gear.
Reese and his wife, Jane, have long-time ties and deep connections to the area, and are very involved in the development of the historic Bagnell Dam Strip—known as the Strip to most.
“Lake of the Ozarks is a very important place to my family,” said Reese. “My wife Jane and I raised our kids here during the summers and throughout much of the off-season, so the area has a lot of great memories for us. We wanted to do our part giving back to the area, helping to protect the Strip for families to enjoy. When we found out that the Lake Ozark Police Department needed support, it was a no-brainer that Springfield Armory could be a solution.”
Pistols provided to the department are from the highly capable 9 mm-chambered XD-M Elite OSP family. Also provided with the pistols were Springfield Armory’s HEX Dragonfly red-dot optics. In addition, Springfield Armory donated Dara Holster Systems capable of accepting the pistols with the red-dot optics installed.
Additionally, the department acquired two Saint Victor B5 5.56 NATO rifles, also equipped with HEX Dragonfly red dot optics. This provides the officers with additional firepower should it be required in the course of their duties.
“When the Reese family learned that our department was looking to replace its current firearms, Dennis Reese reached out to me immediately,” said Lake Ozark Chief of Police Gary Launderville. “Our current firearms were nearly 15 years old and in need of replacement, but we did not have the budget to accomplish this. Mr. Reese determined what we needed and made it happen. He has been awesome.”
“Springfield Armory could not be more proud to support the Lake Ozark Police Department in their efforts to keep their community safe,” said Fred Mincks, Springfield Armory’s LE Sales Manager. “We support the efforts of the law enforcement community and are happy to have been able to do this for the Lake Ozark Police Department.”
