Sheriff deputies receive new weapons

Cherokee County Sheriff's Department received new weapons for its officers last week. Twenty-eight new Glock Model 22 semi-automatic .40 caliber guns were issued to officers April 1.

Deputies, investigators and armed jailers were issued the guns after each had qualified with them. The weapons were bought with drug money that was seized by the sheriff 's department.

The guns replaced 28 Sig Arms .40 caliber Model 2340 semi-automatic that the department bought eight years ago with seized drug money.

GT Distributors of Austin sold the new weapons to the department for $429 per gun which included three clips and night sights. An allowance of $255 per gun was given for trade which amounted to $174 difference per gun and $4,872 difference for all 28 weapons.

"We always keep two extra weapons available in case one malfunctions and has to be sent off for repair," said Sheriff James Campbell.