Kendall County Sheriff’s Office Receives Two Humvees Through Federal Program

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office has received two High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV), commonly known as the Humvee, through a federal program from the Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO) of the Defense Logistic Agency.  

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorizes the Secretary of Defense to transfer excess Department of Defense (DOD) personal property to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The program provides no-cost surplus military equipment that has civilian law enforcement purposes to local police and public safety agencies.

The Sheriff’s Office has obtained equipment through the LESO in the past, but according to Operations Commander Phil Smith, the vehicles are the largest and most valuable assets the Office has received so far.  

“These vehicles would cost upwards of $70,000 each if purchased new from the manufacturer, so we are happy to be able to add these to our fleet at no additional expense to the Kendall County taxpayer,” Smith said.

Sheriff’s Office staff has been looking for economical ways to add vehicles that are capable of operating in extreme conditions, like the February 2011 snow storm and this April’s severe flooding, for some time according to Smith. 

“The Sheriff’s Office has to keep providing service to the public no matter what the road conditions, and these vehicles will help fulfill that mission."

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office was one of the first agencies in Illinois to apply and be approved for the Humvees, and was able to obtain vehicles that are in excellent condition, according to Smith.  “Both of the Humvees we were awarded are in very good condition.” 

Kendall County Sheriff Richard Randall said that the use of the LESO program to obtain equipment for the Sheriff’s Office is just one of the many ways both he and his staff bring back state and federal tax dollars to the local community.  

“Whether through grants, or programs like LESO, I expect my staff find ways to improve the Sheriff’s Office ability to serve our citizens, while stretching their tax dollar to the fullest.”

Release issued by the Kendall County Sheriff's Office