Eureka Police Department is Humming Along, Literally

Eureka Police Department officers recently acquired a 1993 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) at no cost except for some necessary conversion elements, through the 1033 Federal Excess Property program. Eureka Police Chief Michael Wiegand said the vehicle was in good shape with approximately 9,500 miles on it.

This HMMWV was converted from military to police use by several Eureka-area community partners, and will be used during major weather events, for off-road emergencies and at D.A.R.E. events.

The vehicle, which had been painted olive drab green, was repainted black and white to match the current police fleet, Wiegand said.

"All body and paint work was completed by Ranken Technical College as a class project. It was outfitted with emergency lighting, a police radio, and several other modifications to convert it for police patrol," he said.

Total cost of this project to Eureka was less than $2,300.

Wiegand said the following community sponsors participated in the modifications of the HMMWV are:

• Stanley Shoun, president of Ranken Technical College
• John Helterbrand, collision repair department chair and instructor, Ranken Technical College
• David Helterbrand of Public Safety Upfitters
• Scott Hrbacek, a Eureka resident
• Mid America Truck Tops & Accessories
• Selbert's Auto Body
• Adgraphix Code 3

"This project could not have been completed without the help and assistance of these valuable community partners," said Wiegand.

The HMMWV, commonly known as the Humvee, is a four-wheel drive military automobile produced by AM General. It has largely supplanted the role formerly served by the Jeep, said Wiegand.

The HMMWV uses independent suspensions and portal geared hubs similar to portal axles to allow for a full 16 inches of ground clearance. The vehicle also has disc brakes on all four wheels, and four wheel double wishbone suspension. The brake discs are not mounted at the wheels as on conventional automobiles, but are inboard, attached to the outside of each differential. The front and rear differentials are Torsen type, and the center differential is a regular, lockable type.

There are at least 17 variants of the HMMWV in service with the U.S. Armed Forces.