Kerrville Police Association donates 60 LifeVac anti-choke devices to KPD; plans to fund more for other first responders

The Kerrville Police Association presented 60 LifeVac anti-choking devices to the Kerrville Police Department at the Feb. 25 City Council meeting and described plans to raise funds to acquire more for other first responders.

Ed Holloway, president of the association, said the LifeVac is a suction-style device designed to remove airway obstructions without the compressive force associated with the Heimlich maneuver. Holloway and others credited Sergeant Jack Lamb with bringing the idea forward and noted the device has saved lives in other departments.

Association members told council the units cost roughly $65 at retail but were about $47 each through law-enforcement pricing; the group bought 60 units to distribute to the department after completing training and policy work. Paul Gonzales and retired members of the association assisted the fundraising drive, Holloway said.

Association leaders said they plan to continue fundraising so they can offer additional units to other law-enforcement agencies and county first responders; they estimated that another 60 units might be needed if other agencies express interest, but said that would require outreach and confirmation of need.

Kerrville Police leadership accepted the donation at the meeting and said the department will complete training and policy adoption before issuing devices to officers.

The donation requires no council appropriation; the association said it would continue fundraising for wider distribution to county first responders.