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IRMO S.C. (WACH) -- World War II veteran Robert E. Cook donated money to purchase two bullet proof vests for Richland County deputies.

 Cook wrote a letter to Sheriff Leon Lott awhile back expressing his interest in donating the money for this particular purpose.

 Sheriff Lott and the two deputies gathered at Cook's home Tuesday to accept the vests in person and say thanks.  

 "He could of done a lot of things but he decided I wanted to protect some deputies," says Sheriff Lott.

 The veteran remembers being in World War II and not having a lot of safety equipment of his own.

"It would take a little more stress off you and their families just by them being more protected," says Cook.

A bullet proof vest costs $600, and a single vest needs to be replaced every 5 years.

 Therefore it is expensive to keep law enforcement safe.