Body
Armor
Armor
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| Copyright © 2006 - 2008 - Barry M. Baker - CareerPoliceOfficer.com |
| Disclaimer |
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When a bullet strikes
body armor, it's caught
in a "web" of fibers.
These fibers absorb and
disperse the impact
energy that is
transmitted to the vest
from the bullet.
Because the fibers
work together both in
the individual layer and
with other layers of
material in the vest, a
large area of the
garment becomes...
body armor, it's caught
in a "web" of fibers.
These fibers absorb and
disperse the impact
energy that is
transmitted to the vest
from the bullet.
Because the fibers
work together both in
the individual layer and
with other layers of
material in the vest, a
large area of the
garment becomes...
Here's a concise, one page
overview of body armor
from BodyArmor.com
overview of body armor
from BodyArmor.com
There are a lot of police officers who owe their lives to the development of Kevlar. Born in the late sixties, Kevlar
was first marketed in 1971 -- the same year that I became a police officer. However, it would be some time
before Kevlar would be fully appreciated for the life saving material it is. The Baltimore City Police Department
was one of the first major American police departments to issue Kevlar bulletproof vests to its officers as a
standard issued item.
was first marketed in 1971 -- the same year that I became a police officer. However, it would be some time
before Kevlar would be fully appreciated for the life saving material it is. The Baltimore City Police Department
was one of the first major American police departments to issue Kevlar bulletproof vests to its officers as a
standard issued item.
Police Officer Vincent J. Adolfo
Baltimore City Police Department
Maryland
End of Watch: Monday, November 18, 1985
Biographical Info
Age: 24
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: Not available
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Monday, November 18, 1985
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Executed in 1997
Officer Adolfo was shot and killed while attempting to
arrest a man who had just fled from officers in a stolen
Baltimore City Police Department
Maryland
End of Watch: Monday, November 18, 1985
Biographical Info
Age: 24
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: Not available
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Monday, November 18, 1985
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Executed in 1997
Officer Adolfo was shot and killed while attempting to
arrest a man who had just fled from officers in a stolen
vehicle. The vehicle rammed another patrol car and all of the occupants fled on
foot. Officer Adolfo chased one of the men to Iron Alley where the man
pretended to give up. As Officer Adolfo approached him the man produced a
.357 caliber handgun and opened fire, striking him in the chest and back.
Officer Adolfo's police issue vest only contained a front panel which stopped
rounds up to .38 caliber.
The suspect was apprehended in Oklahoma, returned to Maryland, and
executed for the murder in 1997.
Officer Adolfo had served with the agency for two years. He was survived by his
wife.
foot. Officer Adolfo chased one of the men to Iron Alley where the man
pretended to give up. As Officer Adolfo approached him the man produced a
.357 caliber handgun and opened fire, striking him in the chest and back.
Officer Adolfo's police issue vest only contained a front panel which stopped
rounds up to .38 caliber.
The suspect was apprehended in Oklahoma, returned to Maryland, and
executed for the murder in 1997.
Officer Adolfo had served with the agency for two years. He was survived by his
wife.
The first vest we were issued
consisted of a single panel of Kevlar
contained in a fabric carrier. The
panel was worn in the front
providing protection for the heart
and lungs. The single panel was
light weight, and it was not
uncomfortable.
In the early 1980's, we didn't
regularly face the high powered
criminal arsenal that you'll
encounter as a police officer in the
21st Century. It was still the era of
the Saturday Night Specials which
were cheap, small caliber handguns.
The single panel of Kevlar would
stop the penetrating power of the
.22, .32, and .38 caliber handguns
we most frequently encountered.
All that changed for us on the night
of November 18, 1985. Vince
Adolfo was hit by a round from a
.357 Magnum. While the bullet was
.38 caliber, the Magnum version is
a much more powerful bullet than
the standard .38 caliber. The first
round struck Vince in the vest.
The impact spun him around, and
his killer fired a second time
striking Vince in the back where no
Kevlar protection existed.
consisted of a single panel of Kevlar
contained in a fabric carrier. The
panel was worn in the front
providing protection for the heart
and lungs. The single panel was
light weight, and it was not
uncomfortable.
In the early 1980's, we didn't
regularly face the high powered
criminal arsenal that you'll
encounter as a police officer in the
21st Century. It was still the era of
the Saturday Night Specials which
were cheap, small caliber handguns.
The single panel of Kevlar would
stop the penetrating power of the
.22, .32, and .38 caliber handguns
we most frequently encountered.
All that changed for us on the night
of November 18, 1985. Vince
Adolfo was hit by a round from a
.357 Magnum. While the bullet was
.38 caliber, the Magnum version is
a much more powerful bullet than
the standard .38 caliber. The first
round struck Vince in the vest.
The impact spun him around, and
his killer fired a second time
striking Vince in the back where no
Kevlar protection existed.
But...it wouldn't have mattered. The first shot smashed through the single panel of Kevlar and into Officer
Adolfo. Even though Vince was only -- literally -- a few minutes from one of the world's best hospital emergency
rooms at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, his wounds were just too massive, and he succumbed to those wounds.
Officer Adolfo's death literally saved the lives of others. Along with the tireless efforts of Vince's young widow,
the police department quickly recognized the ineffectiveness of the single panel. It wasn't long before we were
issued three (3) additional Kevlar panels doubling the protection for both an officer's front and back. Following
Vince's death, there would be more Baltimore police officers shot with high powered handguns, but, unlike
Officer Adolfo, the bullets would not pass through their vests.
Body armor technology has come a long way since 1985. The comfort level has been vastly improved, but you'll
still find some police officers who will sacrifice their safety to comfort or the fit of their uniforms. As a sergeant
and lieutenant, I occasionally had to deal with subordinates who felt they were somehow immune to the
mandatory wearing of body armor. While I never had to act on my threats to formally charge subordinates for
their stupidity, I would not have hesitated to do so if necessary.
When you become a police officer, you could find yourself assigned to a squad with a weak sergeant who exercises
poor or inadequate supervision. While this circumstance won't help you while learning all the things you'll have
to learn, there are some things that are just common sense -- wearing your body armor is one of those things.
Don't ever be influenced into doing, or not doing, anything that places your safety in jeopardy. Think of wearing
your body armor like you would your car safety belt. If you're not wearing it, you won't have time to put it on
when you need it.
Adolfo. Even though Vince was only -- literally -- a few minutes from one of the world's best hospital emergency
rooms at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, his wounds were just too massive, and he succumbed to those wounds.
Officer Adolfo's death literally saved the lives of others. Along with the tireless efforts of Vince's young widow,
the police department quickly recognized the ineffectiveness of the single panel. It wasn't long before we were
issued three (3) additional Kevlar panels doubling the protection for both an officer's front and back. Following
Vince's death, there would be more Baltimore police officers shot with high powered handguns, but, unlike
Officer Adolfo, the bullets would not pass through their vests.
Body armor technology has come a long way since 1985. The comfort level has been vastly improved, but you'll
still find some police officers who will sacrifice their safety to comfort or the fit of their uniforms. As a sergeant
and lieutenant, I occasionally had to deal with subordinates who felt they were somehow immune to the
mandatory wearing of body armor. While I never had to act on my threats to formally charge subordinates for
their stupidity, I would not have hesitated to do so if necessary.
When you become a police officer, you could find yourself assigned to a squad with a weak sergeant who exercises
poor or inadequate supervision. While this circumstance won't help you while learning all the things you'll have
to learn, there are some things that are just common sense -- wearing your body armor is one of those things.
Don't ever be influenced into doing, or not doing, anything that places your safety in jeopardy. Think of wearing
your body armor like you would your car safety belt. If you're not wearing it, you won't have time to put it on
when you need it.
Law Enforcement Officers Feloniously Killed with Firearms
Point of Entry for Torso Wounds and Wearing Body Armor, 1996-2005
Point of Entry for Torso Wounds and Wearing Body Armor, 1996-2005
Law Enforcement Officers Feloniously Killed with Firearms
Number Slain by Type of Firearm and Size of Ammunition, 1996-2005
Number Slain by Type of Firearm and Size of Ammunition, 1996-2005
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