Kiowa County Press

06/05/2026

Republican candidates for Sheriff face off at Kiowa County forum
https://kiowacountypress.net/content/republican-candidates-sheriff-face-kiowa-county-forum

06/05/2026

06/04/2026

One of the most important and costly pieces of equipment for law enforcement officers is the ballistic vest. In today’s environment, these vests can make the difference between an officer returning home safely at the end of the day or not.
These vests are expensive and must be replaced every five years.
SHIELD616, a nonprofit founded by Jake Skifstad, has made it its mission to donate vests to officers across the state. On June 3, 2026, the Kiowa County Sheriff’s Office was honored to receive seven of these vests.
The event was hosted by Deborah and Lane Gooden at Praise Community Church, and it was wonderful to see so many community members join us and show their support for who we are and what we do.
Jake shared the story of an incident he experienced while serving with the Colorado Springs Police Department and explained why he is so committed to this mission. His story was truly inspiring.
A word from the Founder Jake Skifstad found on his website:
“Lights and sirens and the uniform have been my dream for as long as I can remember. Being a police officer was my only plan as a child, and I did that. I went to school and trained for a career in law enforcement. I served and protected and worked for the community and I saw things that changed the way I see the world. I responded to more than just the active shooters in the news stories. I got to see real people and real life, both the good and the really bad.
After 14 years as a police officer, God asked me to do more. Along the way God gave me a vision of law enforcement being protected, loved, and supported. That vision has become SHIELD616. I believe that God doesn’t give us plans, visions and steppingstones to be ignored. I’m working every day to share this vision with people all over the country.
Our team is working tirelessly that we might help first responders go towards danger knowing that they have the best physical protection available and the love of their community behind them. But most importantly, we want our first responders to know they can put their hope and trust in the ultimate provider of safety and peace; Jesus Christ.
On behalf of all of us at SHIELD616 we can’t thank you enough!”
Jake Skifstad Founder and President
We are deeply grateful for people like Jake who truly care about law enforcement and for the donation of these vests. This is a tremendous gift to our office. The Kiowa County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend its sincere gratitude to SHIELD616, its donors, and everyone who makes this work possible each day. It is reassuring to know there are people in our community who genuinely support and stand behind law enforcement.

Shield616 website
https://shield616.org/

06/04/2026

This evening Baca County Sheriff’s Office was presented with five sets of critical safety equipment by nonprofit organization Shield616.

Shield616 donated five sets of body armor plates manufactured by Angel Armor to the BCSO in a presentation at the First Baptist Church in Springfield.

Our deputies and those who work with and care for them would like to thank Shield616, Angel Armor, First Baptist Church of Springfield and all of the donors for their assistance in keeping our deputies safe!

Pictured: Baca County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Sheriff Shiplett with members of the community and the donated body armor.

06/03/2026

🛡️ Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office Receives Lifesaving Body Armor Donation 🛡️

On June 2, 2026, the Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office was honored to receive five ballistic vests and rifle-rated armor plates through a generous donation from SHIELD616, a Colorado-based nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting first responders and strengthening the communities they serve. A ceremony was held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cheyenne Wells where deputies were surrounded by family and loved ones to support the deputies.

SHIELD616 was founded with a simple but powerful mission: to equip law enforcement officers and first responders with lifesaving protective equipment. Through donations and community partnerships, SHIELD616 has provided thousands of pieces of body armor and protective equipment to agencies across Colorado and beyond.

Modern body armor is one of the most important pieces of safety equipment a deputy can wear. Ballistic vests and rifle-rated plates are designed to provide critical protection against firearm threats and other dangerous situations officers may encounter while serving the public. In rural law enforcement, where backup can often be miles away and deputies routinely respond alone to emergencies, having reliable protective equipment can make a tremendous difference.

The cost of replacing body armor can be substantial. 5 complete ballistic vest and rifle plate packages can cost several thousand dollars per deputy, with a short lifespan of 5 years, creating a significant expense for small agencies operating on limited budgets. Donations such as this help ensure our deputies have access to modern, effective protective equipment without placing additional burden on local taxpayers.

The Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our sincere gratitude to SHIELD616, their donors, and the community members who continue to support law enforcement and public safety. Their generosity directly contributes to the safety of the men and women who serve Cheyenne County every day.

We are grateful for this investment in our deputies and our community. These vests and plates will help provide an added layer of protection as our deputies continue their mission of serving and protecting the citizens of Cheyenne County.

Thank you, Shield616 for your commitment to protecting those who protect others.

06/02/2026

06/02/2026

https://kiowacountypress.net/content/death-notice-sheri-renee-lyon

06/02/2026