Ballistic-resistant Vest Manufactured by First Choice Armor Saves Life

SPINDALE, N.C., June 30 /PRNewswire/ — Thanks to a ballistic-resistant vest manufactured by First Choice Armor, North Kingstown, RI Officer Travis Maiato suffered only minor injuries after being shot in the back on the morning of May 17, 2009.

While making notification to a potential suspect in a hit and run accident, Officer Travis Maiato was attacked without provocation. During the ensuing altercation, the suspect gained control of Maiato’s .40 caliber weapon and fired several shots at him. One grazed Maiato’s shoulder and one struck him in the back. The bullets were stopped by Maiato’s First Choice Armor vest.

Maiato was taken to a nearby hospital and released the following day in good condition. The suspect was taken into custody and has been charged with multiple felonies.

Maiato, a six-and-a half-year member of the North Kingstown RI Police Department, is grateful for the protection his First Choice vest provided.

“ My First Choice body armor took the shot to my back and saved my life. Thanks to the vest stopping that potentially lethal penetration, I was able to stay in the fight,” commented Officer Maiato. “I was able to relay critical information, which led to the apprehension of the suspect without further harm to anyone else. You never know what each call may bring – be prepared, be protected. At the Police Academy, I was trained to always wear my body armor. I was able to stay in the fight, thanks to First Choice Armor.”

First Choice will replace Maiato’s vest free of charge. In addition, as part of “Protect and Serve,” First Choice Armor’s charitable program, the company will make a donation in Maiato’s name to his charity of choice. The “Protect and Serve” program was created in 2004 by First Choice as a “thank you” to all those, like Officer Maiato, who risk their lives every day in the name of public safety.

For more information about First Choice Armor, any of its products, or the “Protect and Serve” program, please contact First Choice Armor at 1-800-882-7667 or visit their Web site, http://www.firstchoicearmor.com.

About First Choice Armor

First Choice Armor & Equipment, Inc., located in Spindale, North Carolina, is a leading global provider of personal products for law enforcement, Homeland Security and military personnel. As an ISO 9001:2000-certified company, First Choice has pioneered among other things the development of vehicle armor, innovative ballistic/stab-shank resistant vests and protective equipment that are state-of-the-art, lightweight and comfortable. For more information, please visit http://www.firstchoicearmor.com or call Christine Piper at (828) 288-6680 extension 121.

This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE First Choice Armor & Equipment, Inc.