SULLIVAN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
6 Bushnell Avenue Monticello NY 12701

Release Date: Thursday Oct. 29, 2009
Contact: Eric Chaboty 845-794-7100

Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office to Enter into Pilot Program with Armor Dynamics to provide Police Vehicle Armor

Sheriff looks to protect deputies from common ballistic threats on the street.

MONTICELLO, NY – Sullivan County Sheriff Michael Schiff announced today that his agency will be entering into a pilot program with Hudson Valley armor manufacturer Armor Dynamics to provide advanced ballistic protection for the Sheriff’s patrol vehicles. The pilot program culminates a three year search for a cost effective solution to protect deputies in their cars from gunfire.

On Feb. 3, 2006, Sullivan County Sheriff’s Deputy Cyrus Barnes responded to a domestic dispute in Narrowsburg. Upon pulling into the driveway of the residence, Barnes was confronted by William Morris who was armed with a 45-70 Springfield rifle. Morris fired a shot at Barnes that went through the door of the patrol car, just missing the deputy, and shattering the seat adjustment controls underneath him. Morris was arrested after a 12 hour stand-off with police and is currently serving a 10 year term in state prison.

Under the terms of the 90-day pilot program, Armor Dynamics will up-armor two of the Sheriff’s patrol vehicles by placing panels made of advanced ballistic material into the doors. Technicians from Armor Dynamics will inspect the ballistic panels every 30 days for service, wear and protection.

“We expect this pilot program to provide our deputies with the highest available ballistic protection” said Sheriff Mike Schiff. “Ensuring the safety of our deputy sheriffs is always a top priority”. The armor panels are designed to defend against the most common pistol and rifle rounds faced by police on the street.

Armor Dynamics CEO David Warren commended Schiff’s commitment to keeping his personnel safe. “This is the first armor system of its kind in the nation and Armor Dynamics is extremely grateful to Sullivan County for the opportunity to demonstrate its advanced capabilities.”

Armor Dynamics’ state-of-the art ballistic panels are lightweight, customizable, and can be retrofitted to any police vehicle. Like all technologies developed by Armor Dynamics, this system uses advanced ballistic materials to create a solution that is lighter,stronger and less expensive than its competitors. The panels are manufactured utilizing environmentally friendly green technology.

As part of the protection provided by Armor Dynamics, the armored police vehicles will also be outfitted with an industry first, proprietary ballistic shield that will attach to the driver and passenger sun visors. The shields are deployed in an emergency to give the vehicle occupants extra ballistic protection around the windows.

Warren said, “Armor Dynamics’ proprietary products and materials are cutting edge, but it’s important to know that each armor solution is optimized for the respective customer. In this case, the Sullivan County Sheriff came to us with a specific
threat level, as well as a specific weight and cost that we had to meet. These ballistic shields meet all those standards”.

Sheriff Schiff had heard about Armor Dynamics’ advanced ballistic protection technology and contacted the company for a demonstration. “The response from David Warren and the Armor Dynamics staff has been outstanding”, said the Sheriff. “It is great to have a local company with a solution to your problem, right in your back yard”.

In addition to Sullivan County, Armor Dynamics is preparing to enter into similar pilot programs with other local municipalities.

Formed in 2004 and located in Kingston, NY, Armor Dynamics Inc. designs and develops innovative armor solutions that are lighter, stronger, and less costly than competitive armor systems.