Rough terrain? Inclement weather? Debris from a storm?
Huntington County Sheriff Terry Stoffel has a Humvee for that.

The sheriff's department is now in possession of six Humvees, which Stoffel says have been acquired at little cost to Huntington's taxpayers.

The vehicles were acquired by Reserve Officer Mike Crago through federal Defense Logistic Agency's Disposition Services division, a service used by law enforcement officers across the nation. Huntington has been using the program since 2011, Stoffel says, and has received $702,000 worth of equipment, such as furniture, clothing, medical equipment, office supplies, weaponry and vehicles, for free.

The Humvees are being used in Huntington, Andrews, Bippus and Markle.

Stoffel says the vehicles have been useful so far, as they were used to help pick up debris from the storm that passed through the county on June 29.

"The Humvees help us do all we can for Huntington County," says Stoffel.

Another benefit is the low cost for taxpayers, he adds.

"These things make Huntington County better, and we don't have cost in it."

So far, the Humvees have cost the taxpayers the expense of 80 gallons of fuel and insurance.

Chief Deputy Chris Newton also appreciates the Humvees.

"With two reservoirs in Huntington (County) it is sometimes hard to respond to emergencies in those areas. These Humvees will make it possible to get to people in rough terrain," Newton says.

Parkview Huntington Hospital has also seen a value in the new vehicles and has donated $3,500 to the sheriff department as part of a partnership to use the vehicles for emergency response situations that an ambulance could not handle on its own.

Other locals have also donated to the Humvees, including Tony Vonesh of Von's Automotive, who provided bodywork and painting of the vehicles free of charge.

Also involved are Ron Schenkel of Auto Tech, Huntington; Captain Dave McElhaney, Reserve Officer Duane Klepper, Louis Crago and Ron Pearson

Complete caption: The Huntington County Sheriff’s Department has acquired six Humvees from the federal Defense Logistic Agency’s Disposition Services division. Three of the Humvees will be used around Huntington, and three were donated to Markle, Bippus and Andrews. The heavy-duty vehicles will assist with emergency response in rough terrain and during inclement weather conditions.