Iowa police donate body armor to troops

Members of a Missouri Army Reserve unit will have some extra protection while on duty in Iraq thanks to Iowa law enforcement.

The Iowa State Patrol and the Linn County Sheriff’s Department have donated outdated body armor to the 189th Ordnance Co. based in St. Joseph, Mo.

Any added protection is going to be nice,'' said Spec. John Wickman, 26, of Cedar Rapids. Wickman is among 164 members of the 189th called to active duty in September. His wife, Tina, began working the phones soon after the unit was called up, seeking surplus bulletproof vests from local police. They responded with more than 200 pieces of body armor. Wickman and other member of the 189th drove from Fort Sill, Okla., and collected the vests on Sunday at the sheriff's offices in Cedar Rapids.They can either wear them or line their vehicles with it,’’ said Sheriff Don Zeller.

Body armor must be replaced when its warranty expires after several years, but it’s usually sound, said Sheriff’s Lt. Ron Cummins. Outdated armor, which can cost up to $500 a set, is usually destroyed. (AP)

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