BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - Stories of loss, survival, and purpose highlighted this year’s Operation Safe Shield benefit Thursday night at the Brazos County Expo Center in Bryan.
The annual event raises money to outfit patrol vehicles in the Brazos Valley and Central Texas with ballistic windshields and door protection. Hundreds of law enforcement and supporters attended from across the region to back the cause, which aims to help local departments access equipment that’s already standard in state-level law enforcement vehicles.
“Well, tonight we have our annual Operation Safe Shield benefit, raising funds to put the ballistic glass in the patrol cars across the Brazos Valley,” said Dr. Clifford Dorn, president of the organization. “Tonight, we’re out here to raise money to try to get as many cars protected as we possibly can.”
Dorn said the mission is about giving officers extra protection, so they have a chance to make it home at the end of their shifts.
“These officers are out there risking their lives every day,” he pointed out. “If we can give them this one little piece of technology to keep them safe while they’re doing that, then it’s worth the effort.”
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Since launching, Operation Safe Shield has installed ballistic glass in more than 100 patrol vehicles. Dorn said the project is now being viewed as a pilot program for the rest of the state.
“We’ve made a great impact because we’re like a pilot study for the state here in the Brazos Valley,” explained Dorn. “The State of Texas has actually seen what we’ve done, and now the legislature is working on providing this service to all the law enforcement across the state.”
He continued, “All of our officers here in the Brazos Valley are pretty much protected but we want it to go statewide.”
For Tobie Walker, the cause is deeply personal. Her husband, Texas DPS Trooper Chad Walker, was ambushed and fatally shot through his windshield while stopping to help a driver near Mexia in March 2021.
“The importance of this event, I feel like, is different than any other event that I’ve spoken at before,” she announced, “because I’m advocating for the need for the funds to be raised for these bulletproof windshields to be put into all patrol units.”
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Following her husband’s death, Walker said the state moved quickly to equip state patrol vehicles with ballistic protection— but many local agencies still lack that access.
“I’m lucky enough, blessed enough, I guess, that following my husband’s tragedy; the state has ramped up,” said Walker. “Through legislative laws, they’ve passed windshields to be put into state patrol units. So, the need for these county and city agencies is very important to me. It’s something I hold very dear to my heart, as a lot of our friends work for the same kind of units.”
Walker continued, “We have county officials, we have city officials who don’t have the access to those resources that are funded through the state... and I couldn’t be more honored to be here to speak for that, because if one person goes home safe at night from this fundraiser, it’s well worth it.”
Thursday’s event also marked an emotional milestone for Walker— coming just days after the fourth anniversary of her husband’s death.
“As I prepared to come here today, I just called on God to equip me to say the words that someone needs to hear,” she shared. “In preparation, I have prayed, and I have just kind of spent a long time. Last week was the 4-year anniversary of losing my husband, and he was struck through the windshield.”
Walker revealed, “As much as I want to, in the flesh, not be here—because it does bring up emotions— I know that I have been called to this, and that I have a story worth sharing because somebody’s life can be saved.”
She acknowledged the pain behind why Operation Safe Shield exists but said she was grateful for the people stepping up to prevent future tragedies.
“In the event of tragedy, I’m sad that this organization exists,” added Walker. “But I also send my blessings to them, because these are people coming together that don’t have to do this. But they are seeing the need that our law enforcement officers need. They need someone behind them, and they need someone to just say, ‘hey, we see you, we care, and your life is worth it.‘”
Follow this link to support and learn more about Operation Safe Shield.
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