Protection offered for protectors

Shield 616 and the Cloquet Eagles Club worked together to make Cloquet's newest school resource officer (SRO), and the children he is there to protect, a little bit safer.

On Wednesday, Feb. 12, SRO Larry Sherk was presented with gear from Shield 616, a nonprofit organization that raises money to provide law enforcement officers with better protection.

The nonprofit group was started after founder Jake Skifstad, a former Colorado police officer and SWAT team member, responded to a shooting at a church that killed two and injured three more. He realized later that his police-issued vest would not have saved him if the suspect had shot him because the "soft vests" typically worn by patrol officers will stop handgun rounds, but not rifle bullets.

Since 2015, Skifstad and Shield 616 have partnered with local organizations to help purchase better equipment for officers. Debbie Skifstad, Jake's mother, spoke on behalf of Shield 616 at the ceremony.

Sherk was the latest recipient of an armor vest that is impenetrable by rifle fire, a helmet designed specifically for law enforcement to protect the wearer from bullets and other impacts to the skull, and other safety gear. The gift brings the total number of Shield 616 vests to three for the CPD.

Interim police chief chief Derek Randall said he looks at the officers he works with and sees people passionate about their jobs, but he also worries because he sees the news every day about officers across the country who are hurt or killed in the line of duty.

"This gear is huge for us, we can't thank you enough," Randall said.

The Eagles raised money for the donation by holding a 5k race in Carlton to benefit law enforcement. It's not the first time the fraternal organization has donated toward protective gear through Shield 616.

"For what you guys do for us, this is a drop in the bucket," said Eagles chaplain Jim Zeal.

Police commander Adam Reed thanked both Shield 616 and the Eagles Club for the donation during the meeting Wednesday at the VFW, noting that Sherk works in the schools five days a week during the school year.

"Unfortunately, schools have been a target," Reed said. "So your donation adds a layer of protection for our schools and community."

Randall pointed out that Sherk is also a member of the local emergency response team, so the protective wear will serve in those situations as well.

Sherk, who started his job as SRO this school year, said the protective wear gives him another tool to do the job the best he can, and one he hopes he never needs.

He said working with the students at the high school and across the district has been a great experience, and the school year is flying by.