District 22 Rep Dan Howell and Polk County Sheriff Steve Ross stand in front of two Hummers donated to the PCSO.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has received two search and rescue vehicles from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Supply Office. The donation was coordinated by District 22 State Representative Dan Howell who worked with PCSO Captain Brian Fields and Special Deputy Richard Jackson to facilitate the exchange.
Polk County Sheriff Steve Ross said, “I am excited to add these two vehicles to our fleet, especially with the potential of severe winter storms on the horizon. There are areas in Polk County where regular patrol cars and SUVs cannot go. These vehicles will greatly improve our search and rescue capability. ”
Representative Dan Howell said, “Both vehicles are rugged late-model 4x4 diesels designed for extreme environments.”
The technical name for them is High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles, commonly known as the Humvee or Hummer. They are designed to cross a stream up to 30 inches deep and climb a 30-degree incline where no road exists. Rep. Howell also explained that each vehicle has less than 5,000 miles and are jointly valued at more than $100,000. Rep. Howell said, “The Hummers were acquired at no cost to the county, except for the price of a tank of diesel fuel for the drive from Nashville to Benton.”
“I appreciate Rep. Howell’s work in helping acquire these vehicles,” Sheriff Ross said. They could be instrumental in saving a life, or rescuing someone from a life threatening situation.”
Rep/ Howell said he enjoyed working with Sheriff Ross and his deputies on the project and believes the vehicles can serve the department well in the county’s rugged terrain.