The Columbia Police Department recently received trauma packs that were donated. In addition, they received training on how to use the items in the pack from the U.S. Marshal's office.
On Feb. 24, two marshals instructed the officers on how to properly use the trauma equipment and still be able to defend themselves, should the officers ever find themselves in that predicament.
The medical packs are Military IFAK and were donated, along with chest shields, by Matt Neelley, the owner and publisher of Narcotic Officers Magazine. Proceeds from the sale of the magazine are used to purchase equipment such as these to officers all over the country.
"I've been supporting the law enforcement community most of my life. I started Narcotic Officers Magazine in October of 2011. The driving factor behind it was my brother. He passed away in November 2005. I watched him take a shotgun to his chest. It's a long story and I'll save it for another time. Let's just say he was involved in the wrong crowd,” Neelley said. “I still blame myself to this day for not being a better big brother, but I'm told I shouldn't do that anymore. That night changed me forever.
Shortly after his passing, I found myself questioning my own life. I decided to enlist in the Army in May 2006 and served for four years. Afterward, while going to school in Florida, that's when I started Narcotic Officers Magazine. I've seen too many family members and friends ruin and lose their lives because of Narcotics. I just wanted to produce an educational magazine that promotes the exchange of ideas and information among law enforcement agencies and support groups.
While doing this I believed getting trauma kits to underfunded officers is life-saving. The money we receive from businesses placing ads in our magazine, that support the enforcement community, helps us provide these life-saving kits. We also support drug education through D.A.R.E. America. Also, a few years ago we started supporting K9 programs that supply Narcan overdose kits to K9s."
Chief Michael Kelly said the officers face dangers on a day-to-day basis. The culture today is revealing more and more that people have no respect of persons, and that is especially true with criminals.
"We had to prepare our guys to be able to not only to be able to provide medical aid to themselves if they are injured but also to their partner and the public," Kelly said.
While most would think more of the dangers to law enforcement being elsewhere, he reminds people that is not always the case.
"You walk in our doors, you see four pictures of officers that were killed in the line of duty by gunfire. It hasn't visited our city in quite a while. But I don't want to see another officer's picture on the wall," Kelly said.
He said if the officers can get this equipment and training, it will save lives not only of the officers but also for the citizens.
