National nonprofit gifts armor to county deputies

On Dec. 5, Shield 616, a nonprofit based in Colorado Springs, donated about $20,000 worth of body armor to Boundary County Sheriff’s deputies. 

John and Michelle Adsit represented Shield 616 in the presentation of the equipment at the Boundary County Annex. The organization has raised over $20 million to provide bulletproof body armor to first responders in 34 states across the U.S. The nonprofit's name is inspired by Ephesians 6:16, which describes taking up the "shield of faith." 

During the donation event, John Adsit highlighted the challenges faced by the BCSO, whose 30 deputies cover the county’s 12,000 square miles. He said that law enforcement in small, rural communities often have fewer immediate resources, making the need for protection even more critical. 

“This donation is almost more significant than giving one to a larger agency because, as you guys know, cover may not be so close for you in some situations,” he said. 

Adsit served as a Denver policeman for 12 years before his active service was cut short after he survived being run over by a car at a downtown Denver, Colo., riot 10 years ago in what could have been a fatal accident.  

“It really was just the grace of God that that allowed me to be alive then and to be here with you all now,” he said. 

After years of recovery, John, along with his wife Michelle, joined Shield 616 to help protect the lives of law enforcement agencies nationwide. The Boundary County Sheriff’s Office is one of over 400 agencies around the U.S. that the non-profit has gifted protective armor.