Gateway Church to Host SHIELD66 Event Donating Active-Shooter Gear to Police Officers

Gateway Church will host two SHIELD616 events this month where nearly 300 police officers will receive new active-shooter gear to provide them more effective defense against rifle threats.

SHIELD616 is a faith-based, nonprofit organization based in Colorado that receives donations to provide potentially life-saving equipment to first responders at no cost. On Saturday, January 26, and Sunday, January 27, SHIELD616 will outfit officers from the Fort Worth Police Department Special Response Team, Tarrant County Sheriff’s Department, and North Richland Hills Police Department with new active-shooter gear. The events will take place at the Gateway North Fort Worth Campus and NRH Campus, respectively. Each officer will receive a ballistic helmet, a vest carrier to hold rifle-rated armor, and a trauma kit to aid gunshot wounds.

Since 2015, SHIELD616 has provided vital first responder protective gear to offset equipment costs for police departments that may operate on stretched budgets. The sponsorship program also helps foster positive relationships between police officers and the communities they serve—residents and officers are paired together during SHIELD616 events and commit to build relationships with one another throughout the year.

In addition to hosting the SHIELD616 events this month, Gateway will form care teams from its staff and congregation to provide support to the officers receiving the active-shooter gear at their campuses. Funding for the new gear was provided by donors Jeff and Kelly Dillard of Fort Worth.

The SHIELD616 events are free and open to the public.