On June 3, 2001 Officer Kevin Bryant performed a traffic stop and asked an irate passenger to exit the vehicle. After a brief conversation the suspect fled on foot and tripped and fell to the ground about 100 yards later. As Officer Bryant moved in, the suspect pulled a .25 caliber pistol and opened fire striking the officer several times. Two of the rounds were stopped by Officer Bryant’s Safariland® duty belt and Safariland Silver 6.0 level II armor. Despite these injuries, Officer Bryant was able to return fire, fatally wounding his assailant.
Officer Bryant returned to duty after one month in the hospital and nine months in physical therapy. Since returning, he has been working as an instructor at the Memphis Police Academy where his Safariland vest is framed on display. Officer Bryant and his wife have since welcomed their daughter and son into the world and said had his Safariland armor and duty gear not saved his life that night, he would never have had the chance to be a father. Officer Bryant and his wife send their thanks to all.
We welcome Officer Kevin Bryant as Safariland Save #1831 to the Safariland SAVES CLUB®.
