Police Memorial Foundation Raising Money To Equip Chicago Cops With New Bulletproof Vests
(CBS) -- Chicago Police are in need of another $3 million to make sure each and every officer has a new safe bulletproof vest, reports WBBM's John Cody
Police records show the vests have saved the lives of 40 officers, including Del Pearson, who was shot directly in the chest.
"I had about a silver-dollar sized bruise that had just barely broke the skin and left a scar," Pearson said. "I still have that scar today from that round that hit my vest. That was the only indication that I had been struck."
Pearson appeared with former Chicago Police Superintendent Phil Cline who says the city doesn't pay for all bullet proof vests, just the first vest for each new officer at a cost of $500 and up. The vests are good for maybe five years, Cline says.
Cline's Chicago Police Memorial Foundation donated $1 million of the $4 million needed to replace 8,000 outdated vests. He's asking the public to donate the remaining almost $3 million needed to buy the rest.
To donate, visit cpdmemorial.org.