OPD officers receive new vests

 Sgt. Darryl Smith said he really needed the bulletproof vest he received Tuesday.

"I feel safer now," Smith said. "It also takes burden off my wife's and children's backs now that they know I'm safer."

Smith was one of 24 Odessa police officers who received the new vests Tuesday in the Odessa Police Department's training classroom.

Lt. Art Fuentes said the 24 vests cost more than $14,400, but the purchase was worth the money.

"These vests not only protect the officer," he said, "they protect a father, a mother, an uncle and a friend."

Fuentes said he hoped that the new protection would urge officers to wear the vests even though the department doesn't mandate use of the vests.

"We do have some officers who don't care to wear the vests," he said. "They're being made more comfortable now. We're hoping to give them no excuses for not wearing the vest."

Smith said he's been at the department for 15 years and bought his own three vests.

"Anytime you're able to get a gift like this, it makes you feel appreciated," he said. "It shows that people care about you and the job you're doing."

Fuentes said now that 24 officers have been equipped with vests, his eyes are on purchasing vests for new recruits and the SWAT team.