Washington, D.C.  -  Sylacauga police and local law enforcement officials should have an extra bounce in their step today, as Congressman Mike Rogers congratulated the force for receiving federal matching funds to help purchase 10 new bulletproof vests.

The $2,320 grant for 10 vests, funded through the U.S. Department of Justice, will help protect the lives of Sylacauga law enforcement officers by outfitting them with new armor vests. Rogers said the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program provides priority funding for jurisdictions with populations fewer than 100,000 people.

“Sylacauga’s law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day,” Rogers said. “Ultimately these vests will help save lives, and make Talladega County even safer for our families and children.”

The City of Sylacauga was selected out of an applicant pool that included over 4,800 jurisdictions. Congressman Rogers made the announcement today in Washington.