October 2026 Guardian Angel Winners

With October comes cooler days, changing leaves, and an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the individuals who go above and beyond to keep others safe. Every day, they step into roles where the unexpected can happen in an instant. Whether working inside a maximum-security prison, standing watch in a crowded public space, protecting children in schools, or patrolling a residential community, they put themselves in harm’s way to help keep others safe.

The work isn’t always easy, and it often happens without recognition. These individuals face situations most people will never experience, yet they continue to show up, do their jobs, and put the safety of others ahead of their own.

Through our Guardian Angel Program, we have the opportunity to give back to those who dedicate themselves to protecting others. To show our appreciation for those who put themselves on the line, we provide FREE HG2 Concealable Level IIIA Multi-Threat Vests⁠ to deserving individuals in the communities they serve.

Protection is more than equipment; it’s knowing that when you’re the one standing between danger and the people you’re there to protect, you have something designed to help protect you, too. We’re honored to recognize this month’s Guardian Angels and grateful for the commitment they show every day.

Please help us congratulate Lenville, Melissa, and Vincent.

I’m a volunteer Chaplain; I also work as a Registered Nurse so my main goal in life is to serve people and help them when they are in need the most. I should be selected for my desire to help others; I love my community and stand with others to help protect them from all concerns.

It means being safer when I’m out protecting and serving the community, It means having some self-assurance to withstand a shot if that should occur. Most officers are provided these as their uniform, but my department does not provide a vest for the chaplain, and I worry because we do have a lot of shootings in our community and shots fired calls every shift, which I stay in the car now but would feel safer if I get out of the patrol car. I believe in the armor of God but a vest can’t hurt during my shifts, I normally work 40 hours a month so it would be a blessing if you could help me with this.

I’m a range safety officer at a local range a vest could also help me when I’m working there, several times we have had deflection come back and come close to hitting us, A vest would be safer when I’m at the range too.

I’m part of my local parish church security team as a co lead and will be able to help others while wearing Safe Life armor by being able to take people to safety in a safe manner. I would be honored to be selected as a recipient of the Safe Life Defense Guardian Angel program.

As a wheelchair user living with spina bifida, I have never allowed my disability to define what I can accomplish or how I can serve others. I am an active competitive shooter who has competed at the local, state, and national levels, including the 2026 IDPA National Championship. More importantly, I currently serve as a volunteer co-lead of my church’s security team, where I help maintain a safe environment for our congregation, families, and visitors. Our team works alongside experienced security professionals and law enforcement personnel, and I take my responsibility to the community seriously. Because I use a wheelchair, finding protective equipment that provides adequate coverage while remaining comfortable, concealable, and practical for my mobility needs presents unique challenges. A Safe Life Defense concealable vest would provide an additional layer of personal protection while allowing me to continue serving my community. I am not seeking recognition or special treatment because of my disability. I simply believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to serve and protect others, regardless of their physical limitations. Being selected for the Guardian Angel program would mean more than receiving a vest. It would mean having the equipment to help me continue fulfilling a responsibility I take great pride in.Thank you for considering my application and for supporting individuals who dedicate their time to keeping their communities safe.

To me, owning body armor means more than just having protective equipment. It represents peace of mind, preparedness, and the ability to continue serving and protecting my community. As someone who lives with spina bifida and relies on a wheelchair for mobility, I understand that my physical limitations can present unique challenges, especially in an emergency. However, I have never allowed those limitations to stop me from stepping forward when others need help. As a volunteer co-lead of my church’s security team, I take the responsibility of helping keep our congregation safe very seriously. Having body armor would provide an additional layer of protection, allowing me to carry out my duties with greater confidence while recognizing that my own safety matters just as much as the safety of those around me. I don’t see body armor as a symbol of authority or power. I see it as a symbol of responsibility, commitment, and the willingness to serve. At the end of the day, my goal is simple: to help ensure that everyone, including myself, makes it home safely to their loved ones.

As the founder of K.A.D.E. Foundation, I work directly with victims and survivors of domestic violence, often meeting them where they are rather than expecting them to find their way to us. Our advocacy extends beyond the walls of our center. When authorized and appropriate, we respond alongside law enforcement to assist victims following domestic violence incidents. We also conduct follow-up visits at victims’ locations, provide safety planning, assist with emergency housing, accompany survivors through court proceedings, and help them navigate the difficult process of rebuilding their lives. These interactions sometimes take place in unpredictable environments where an abusive individual may return or tensions may escalate. While we prioritize safety, coordinate with law enforcement when appropriate, and never intentionally enter an active threat, the nature of our work carries risks that cannot always be eliminated. Having ballistic body armor would provide an additional layer of protection as I continue standing beside victims during some of their most vulnerable moments. Our philosophy is simple: **We don’t just tell victims where to find help. We meet them where they are and walk beside them toward safety.**

On December 17, 2025, my daughter, Officer Kaitlin “Katie” Crook, was murdered by her estranged partner in an act of domestic violence. She was only 25 years old and had dedicated her life to protecting others as a law enforcement officer. Just weeks after losing her, I founded K.A.D.E. Foundation in her memory. What began as a grieving mother’s determination to prevent another family from experiencing this devastation has grown into an operating nonprofit domestic violence advocacy center serving communities in North Carolina. I have invested my own resources, time, and heart into building this foundation because I know firsthand what domestic violence can take from a family. I am not asking for protection because I believe my life is more valuable than anyone else’s. I am asking because I have committed the rest of my life to helping others escape the violence that took my daughter, and I want to continue that work as safely as possible. Receiving this vest would help protect someone who has already experienced the devastating consequences of domestic violence and is now working to prevent that tragedy for others.

To me, owning body armor means having one more opportunity to come home safely after helping someone else. My daughter was a police officer. She understood the importance of protecting herself while protecting others. Tragically, the violence that took her life happened outside the protection of her uniform. Losing Katie taught me how quickly an ordinary day can become a family’s worst nightmare. I know that no vest can guarantee safety, but having appropriate protection would give me an additional measure of security as I carry forward the mission her life inspired. It would mean more than receiving a piece of equipment. It would mean someone believes the lives of those working to protect domestic violence survivors are worth protecting, too.

K.A.D.E. Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in January 2026. We recently opened our advocacy center in Denton, North Carolina, through a partnership with the South Davidson Family Resource Center. In addition to myself, our small team includes two dedicated case managers who share our commitment to helping victims and survivors of domestic violence. Ideally, I hope to eventually secure protective vests for all three of us. However, I understand that your donation program receives many deserving applications, and I would be incredibly grateful to be considered for even one vest. We are also working to develop a coordinated response program alongside local law enforcement, with an emphasis on survivor safety, crisis assistance, and connecting victims to critical resources.

Thank you for considering my application and for providing protective equipment to individuals who dedicate themselves to serving others. Your generosity has the potential to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those doing this work.