Sheriffs Department recieves $11,151 to buy firearms

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Thanks to a grant from Kentucky Office of Homeland Security (KOHS) , the Webster county Sheriff’s Department will soon be able to purchase new duty weapons and patrol rifles. 

On Thursday, Governor Steve Beshear announced that the Webster County Fiscal Court, on behalf of the Sheriffs Department, was one of 30 agencies across the state that would receive part of $170, 832 in Law Enforcement Protection Program (LEPP) grants that are administered by KOHS.

LEPP grants are meant to give financial help to law enforcement agencies in the purchase of certain items essential in the course of their duties. 

“We’re going to be purchasing eight patrol rifles and three .40 caliber Glock duty weapons,” said Sheriff Frankie Springfield.

Currently the County does not supply it’s officers with patrol rifles. Springfield says that a couple of deputies have purchased their own, but most, including the sheriff himself, carry shotguns in their vehicles.

This grant will also make it possible for the department to update it’s deputies handguns for the first time in several years.

“Years ago, when I was a deputy, we had to buy our own handguns,” said Springfield. “Then for a few years we had a little funding and we were able to buy some for the deputies.”

Since that money ran out, the handguns have been passed down from deputy to deputy through the years. This grant will allow the department to replace some of it’s older weapons with new ones.

“These grants provide important funds for law enforcement agencies to acquire necessary protective equipment for their officers who endeavor to keep our Commonwealth safe and secure,” Gov. Beshear said.

“I am pleased that the Law Enforcement Protection Program grants are helping provide necessary equipment for our officers in Webster County,” said state Sen. Dorsey Ridley, of Henderson. “The sheriff and sheriff deputies put their lives on the line every day. By better equipping them, we are making sure they are safer while they are doing their job of protecting us.”

“I’m glad to see these funds going toward equipment that will help keep our local officers safe,” said state Rep. Jim Gooch, of Providence.  “I want to thank the Webster Fiscal Court and the Office of Homeland Security for helping to make this possible.”

In conjunction with the Kentucky State Police (KSP), KOHS derives income from sales of confiscated weapons. KSP conducts periodic auctions – only to federally licensed firearms dealers – that generate dollars for the LEPP initiative.

KOHS then assesses needs and, after prioritization, provides available funds for the acquisition of body armor, duty weapons, ammunition, and electronic or muscular disruption technical devices, which are often referred to as Tasers.

“It’s gratifying to know we can help in some way to supply law enforcement with some of the tools they need to carry out their important jobs,” said Gene Kiser, executive director of KOHS.

LEPP support goes to police agencies of cities, counties, charter counties, unified counties, urban-counties and consolidated local governments, sheriff’s departments and public university police departments.

The Providence Police Department was also the recipient of LEPP monies. Police Chief Brent McDowell announced earlier this year that his department had received a $3,300 LEPP grant for the purchase of new body armor vests.

Reach MATT HUGHES at 270-667-2068 or matt@journalenterprise.com