Local Businesses Donate For Sheriff’s Office High Risk Law Enforcement Encounters
ASHLAND COUNTY — In a powerful show of community support, several local businesses have stepped forward to equip the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office with the tools needed for a new kind of lifesaving training: High Risk Law Enforcement Encounters.
The program—developed in response to the alarming rise in attacks against law enforcement nationwide—will now become a permanent part of deputy training. Unlike traditional firearms practice, this course is entirely hands-on, designed to replicate the chaos and danger of real high risk encounters.
A New Kind of Training
Deputy Curtis Hall, Deputy Dog Warden and certified law enforcement instructor, explained the importance of the program:
“The firearms team and I are dedicated to ensuring the safety and readiness of our officers. In response to recent tragic events affecting law enforcement nationwide, we are enhancing our training protocols. This high risk encounters training is crucial for equipping our officers with the skills and confidence needed to respond in high-stress scenarios.”
Instructors will simulate officers being attacked while inside vehicles—forcing deputies to fire through windshields, bail out under pressure, and shoot from cover to cover with only limited exposure. Cars will serve as both obstacles and protection, while strategically placed targets mimic hostile threats.
“This isn’t just target practice,” Hall emphasized. “It’s about preparing our deputies to survive an attack and protect our community.”
Sheriff’s Statement: Safety Through Training and Community Support
Ashland County Sheriff Kurt J. Schneider said the investment in training and the support from local businesses is both timely and essential:
“Ohio Law Enforcement Agencies have suffered too much loss this year. The manner in which we protect our families and businesses in Ashland County is very unique. We have a community who partners directly with us and I can’t thank them enough. My training team and I have spent several days discussing ways to improve the skills of our Deputies in preparation for high risk situations, and this is one of the areas we felt necessary to keep them safe, so they can keep the county safe. The outpouring of support from these local businesses and leaders will increase our efforts exponentially, providing next level skills to keep our Deputies safe so they can protect others.”
Community Donations Power the Mission
The ambitious training is being made possible thanks to three generous local businesses:
HOP Armament (Hayesville) — Donated 10,000 rounds of ammunition to ensure deputies can train extensively under realistic conditions.
Gibbs Towing LLC (Savannah) — Supplied two vehicles to serve as real-world cover and training props.
Glass Doctor (Ashland) — Donated windshields, enabling deputies to practice shooting through glass while under simulated attack.
Deputy Hall called the contributions “a true partnership between law enforcement and the community.”
Why It Matters
The training comes at a critical time. According to the Fraternal Order of Police, more than 170 law enforcement officers have been shot nationwide so far in 2025, with dozens ambushed in sudden, unprovoked attacks. Ambushes now account for nearly 1 in 3 officer shootings across the country.
“Law enforcement doesn’t always get the training time they truly need,” said Tyler Flinn, Operations Manager of HOP Munitions. “Shooting is a perishable skill. The more you train, the more proficient you’ll be. We want our deputies to have the best training, the best equipment, and the confidence to come home safe every day.”
Hop, whose business began in Jeromesville in 2019 before expanding to Hayesville, said his team puts community first: “Law enforcement, veterans, and first responders always come first. This donation is just one way we can give back to the people who protect us.”
Standing Together
For Sheriff Schneider and his deputies, the message is clear: the community has their back.
“This training isn’t about fear,” Hall added. “It’s about readiness. And thanks to our local partners, we can make sure every deputy is prepared to face the unexpected.”
With windshields shattering, cars serving as cover, and live rounds cutting through the air, deputies will step into one of the most intense training scenarios of their careers. And when it’s over, Ashland County will rest a little easier—knowing its officers are better prepared for the dangers that come without warning.
Donors Supporting Deputy Safety
HOP Armament — 2004 State Route 60 Ashland, OH. 44805 (234) 400-9502 Hopmunitions.com
Glass Doctor (Ashland) — 1210 E. Main St., Ashland | (567) 203-4761
Gibbs Towing LLC — 631 W. 17th St., Ashland | (419) 289-7218
