GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. -- A weeklong search for a killer quickly became a massive manhunt in the Jennings State Forest.
And the Clay County Sheriff's SWAT team helped search for Christopher Kilgore from the back of a pick-up truck.
"All they had was soft body armor to go up against an armed suspect," said Clay Sheriff Rick Beseler. "This picture is worth a thousand words."
Now, the 32-man SWAT team can respond to high risk scenes in a new, bulletproof Lenco BEAR CAT. "It has a gas detection system and radiation detection system to keep our officers from being exposed," said SWAT Supervisor, Lt. Donnie Deas.
Clay County's Sheriff Department received $286,033 from the Department of Homeland Security. The department used $34,798 in drug seizure money to pay for the rest.
"The four-door configuration and back door will allow us to get people in and out of harms way," said Lt. Deas.
Duval, St. Johns, Marion and Alachua counties all have a similar BEAR CATS in their fleet. "It's not only for our SWAT officers, but it's going to protect our citizens," said Sheriff Beseler.
It's the extra protection they need to save lives against armed suspects like Kilgore.
The Clay County Sheriff Department also added two new Humvees to their fleet. They came from the federal government's surplus and the department only paid a $1,000 transfer fee to get them.
