Three Years Running, Manchester Resident Donates Vest to Police Department

For the third consecutive, a township man has stepped up to help the through the donation of a bullet resistant vest.

John McGuire presented Chief of Police Brian Klimakowski with the gift on Tuesday at police headquarters, according to a news released issued by Lt. Vincent Manco. McGuire, a member of the township's Municipal Alliance, has also donated equipment to the department's honor guard and purchased an ice water suit for officers. 

“I wish I could do more, but each year I like to do something," McGuire said in the release. 

McGuire has been an active member in the Manchester Police Athletic League and as an alliance member has been "instrumental" in Project Graduation, Manco said. Project Graduation is an organized and adult-supervised night of activities for graduating seniors that is held in lieu of off-campus house parties where drug and alcohol use may be present. 

Patrolman Paul Bachovchin, who serves as Municipal Alliance chairman, said that McGuire's involvement with the high school project shows that he is an "all around great guy who would do anything for the kids."

McGuire's giving spirit appears to run in his family — his granddaughter Tess, a third grade student in Manchester's school district, was able to raise over $700 for a canine ballistic vest in about a month's time, Manco said. Since the Manchester Police Department does not have a canine unit, the vest was donated to Brick's police department.

Donations came in from students, school staff, township employees and the Manchester PBA 246. McGuire is "very proud" of his granddaughter's efforts, the release states.