Local law enforcement got an early Christmas gift this year – a high-end sniper rifle.
The Park County Sheriff’s Office has added a LaRue OBR (Optimized Battle Rifle) sniper rifle in their arsenal. But this gift wasn’t delivered by Santa Claus – it was a donation from LaRue Tactical.
LaRue, according to their website, is “known world-wide for sniper targets, quick-detachable mounting solutions, and hyper-accurate 7.62mm and 5.56mm rifle systems.” Their retail value for an OBR sniper rifle on LaRue’s website is $3,370.
The base model of the LaRue OBR comes complete with A2 Rifle Stock and LaRue medium A-PEG™ Grip, A2 Flash Hider, plus two LaRue-made 20-round magazines.
This donation is possible to a relationship established in September 2020, when LaRue hosted a Designated Marksman Course in Cody using the Sheriff’s Office range and classroom. Paul Koester, a retired Chief Master Sergeant with the United States Air Force and owner of PK Gunsmithing of Bozeman, hosted the session.
LaRue greatly appreciated the Park County Sheriff’s Office’s assistance during the course and allowing them the use of the county’s facilities.
The LaRue training course in September consisted of:
- milling targets during timed events
- adjusting for windage and elevation
- stress drills from multiple firing positions on multiple targets at unknown distances to include barricades and buildings, elevated firing positions and moving targets, and long-range (1,000 yards +) events.
Sheriff Scott Steward, who accepted the donation on Dec. 23, says this is particularly appreciated as it comes during “a time of need” at the Park County Sheriff’s Office. The weapon will soon be incorporated into the toolbox of the Sheriff Response Team, with training with the rifle set to begin “immediately.”
2020 has been good for resupplying Park County law enforcement. In September 2020, 23 ballistic helmets were donated to the Cody Police Department by Shield 616. This was a complete replacement of the department’s outdated equipment.