Kimball board approves about $15,000 for police equipment

Jerry Don Case
Jerry Don Case

KIMBALL, Tenn. -- The Kimball police department is gearing up to combat the kinds of threats that have become all too common around the country.

"It's time for the police department to get on par with everybody else," Vice Mayor Jerry Don Case said. "When your enemy's got more firepower than the police department, then you've got a problem."

At its August meeting, the Kimball Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted unanimously to spend about $15,000 for nine Windham Weaponry 30-round M4 rifles and nine bulletproof vests, one for each of the town's law enforcement officers.

photo Jerry Don Case

Police Sgt. Chris Webb said officers are now required to enter a building with an active shooter and cannot wait for backup.

"The shotgun days are pretty well over with," Case said. "I don't want them entering that building with a shotgun. I want them to have plenty of firepower."

Alderman Johnny Sisk said Kimball has been "lucky" so far that it hasn't had an active shooter incident like the one in Chattanooga on July 16.

"We're sitting in a prime spot," he said. "You've got three state lines they can get to in no time right here."

Originally, the department requested that city leaders approve the purchase of only eight rifles because Case was told that police Chief Tommy Jordan wanted to "just stick with a shotgun."

Case said Jordan told him he was "just old-school."

"Well, this is 2015," Case said. "When your enemy has more firepower than you, it's time to change. I would like to spend $8,000 on these weapons and never have to use them."

Alderman John Matthews agreed and said that he believed Jordan should have one of the M4 rifles, too, if for no reason other than liability issues.

"I don't want to send [our police officers] into a gunfight with a slingshot," Alderman Mark Payne said.

The department initially asked for the board to purchase Level II bulletproof vests from PT Armor Inc. in Anniston, Ala., that cost $645 each. The board voted instead to buy the company's Level IIIA option for about $120 more per vest.

The Level IIIA vests have more stopping power, officials said.

"I'd rather buy the best," Sisk said. "I'd like to equip [our officers] with the best. If we can save one life, I don't care how much money it costs. It's worth it."

Ryan Lewis is based in Marion County. Contact him at ryanlewis34@gmail.com.

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