SPECIAL TO THE BREEZE Matt Davis, president and chief executive officer of Armor Express, presents Cape Coral police Officer David Wagoner with his new bullet-proof vest Tuesday during a ceremony at police headquarters.

Cape Coral police Officer David Wagoner was presented with a new ballistic vest during a private ceremony Tuesday at police headquarters.

Matt Davis, president and chief executive officer of Armor Express, came from company headquarters in Central Lake, Mich., to personally present the vest to Wagoner. Armor Express manufactures the vests worn by the Cape officers and was the brand worn by Wagoner the night that he was shot.

Police officials credit the vest with saving Wagoner’s life.

Davis was accompanied by Adam Chalker, of Dana Safety Supply in Jacksonville, Fla. Chalker supplies the vests to the police department. Armor Express customarily provides a new free vest free to any officer who has been shot in the line of duty when their product saves the officer’s life.

More than 100 officers, dispatchers and support personnel, as well as Wagoner’s family, attended the ceremony. Davis said while his company always provides a replacement vest, this was its first “ceremonial presentation” it has made at a department.

SPECIAL TO THE BREEZE Cape Coral Police Chief Jay Murphy, left, with Officer David Wagoner, center, and Matt Davis, president and chief executive officer of Armor Express, Tuesday at police headquarters. Wagoner received a new ballistic vest to replace his old one which was shot at in a traffic stop.

Davis said he would use the presentation at the Cape police department as a model for any future replacement vests issued in similar circumstances.

Davis read a prepared speech and presented Wagoner with his new vest.

“Thank you all so much for the love and support you have shown me and my family,” Wagoner said.

Police Chief Jay Murphy offered some closing remarks and the rest of the ceremony was filled with hugs, handshakes and well wishes for Wagoner and his family.

Source: Cape Coral Police Department