Weeks before the Dec. 1 shooting of two Tucson police officers, the department had just received a donation of 36 bullet-proof vests.
The day after the incident, Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus tweeted that Officer Jorge "George" Tequida- who had been shot in the shoulder - was likely saved by his bullet-proof vest, as another round hit him directly in the chest.
The vests are only guaranteed by the manufacturer for five years, and although the department provides officers with his or her first vest, each is responsible for purchasing new vests as needed, saidΒ Bonnie Faircloth, Executive Director of the Tucson Police Foundation.
As a result, many officers are putting on vests that are "no longer viable," Faircloth wrote in a Friday news release.
The 36 vests cost a total of $28,800.
Since 2011, the foundation has provided more than 400 officers with bullet-proof vests, Faircloth said.
As part of the holiday season, the foundation is encouraging people to "adopt a cop" and donate towards a vest to help protect the lives of Tucson police officers.
Donations for the replacement vests program can be made online atΒ www.tucsonpolicefoundation.orgΒ or by calling 207-2878.
