Chief McNamara wrote a detailed outline of the happenings during the early morning hours of March 22, 1981. Officer Bridges was hit with a charge of a #7 shot exploding from a 12ga. shotgun. The distance was “no more than ten-feet away.” The suspect fired one shot striking Bridges in the center of the chest. Bridges was knocked down and fired on again with a handgun striking him in the right hip. The officer got up and was able to return fire before the suspects fled the scene. Bridges then assisted arriving officers in searching for the suspects for several minutes before he realized he was injured. The use of the (Second Chance®) vest is believed to have saved Officer Bridges from mortal injury.
We welcome Officer Richard Bridges, SAVE #216, to The Safariland Group SAVES CLUB®.
