When Arvada Police Officer Anthony Daniel leaves for work, his fiancée is a little less worried, now, thanks to an armor donation from SHIELD 616.

“It means more protection, but it also means he comes home to me every night,” said Ashley Jojola.

For Daniel, the gear means he has more confidence and protection going into high-pressure situations.

Daniel was one of 20 Arvada Police officers to receive a gear kit donation Feb. 26 from SHIELD 616, a Colorado Springs-based nonprofit which provides law enforcement officers with the most updated, riffle-rated protection.

Each armor kit donated included a plate carrier vest that clearly reads “police” on the front and back; two rifle-rated armor plates; a ballistic helmet; and a trauma kit.

“This truly warms my heart,” said Arvada Police Chief Link Strate at the donation presentation. “As a police chief to sit here and see these officers standing behind these kits that will provide them protection, it truly make me feel good. I know we have an incredible amount of support from this community.”

The majority of the gear donations were funded by a donation from Rocky Mountain Ford Dealers — a commitment Ford made during a regionally televised Super Bowl commercial Feb. 3.

“This is something that has been a need in Colorado,” said Kevin Shaughnessy, of Rocky Mountain Ford Dealers, mentioning the three Colorado officers killed in the line of duty last year. “We all agreed that protecting officers and providing this donation to provide gear to officers is something we'd love to get behind.”

Ford funded 17 of the 20 armor kits.

Donations for the additional gear was provided by Safeway, Arvada Police Department Citizen Academy alumni, Donna's Fund/Chalets General Federation of Women's Club, the Santos family and the Peterson family.