MPD unveils police Corvette
Madison Police Lt. John Stringer, Mayor Paul Finley, Systems Products and Solutions owner Jeff Thompson and Police Chief Larry Muncey stand next to the 2010 Corvette Grand Sport that Thompson recently donated to the department's community policing division.
When David Hasselhoff rode around in the early 1980s in his Pontiac Trans Am known as “KITT” on the hit television series “Knight Rider,” he could only have dreamed of driving the car the Madison Police Department unveiled Thursday.
Madison Police Chief Larry Muncey unveiled the department’s new 2010 red Corvette Grand Sport, which was donated by city residents Jeff and Nilmini Thompson.
The Thompson’s company, Systems Products and Solutions, also outfitted the car with lights, sirens and a police radio.
When Muncey and Mayor Paul Finley first met with Jeff about the idea, Muncey said he was skeptical about the idea coming to fruition.
“I thought it was done (when we left the meeting). You hear a lot of things, but how often do they come true?” Muncey said.
A few days later, Muncey received a call from Jeff saying he had purchased the $70,000 vehicle.
“It’s hard for us to fathom that someone would care so much about their community,” Muncey said.
The car will be used in the department’s community policing division, helping the police build a relationship with area children.
“This is a fine example of what I call the American dream,” Muncey said. “It’s going to bring the kids to us and it’s going to give us an opportunity to give that American dream back to the community.”
Jeff, who saw the completely outfitted car for the first time Thursday, said it was an honor to give back to the community, and he also thanked those who helped make the car complete.
Coban donated the mobile data video system, Sound Depot donated the LCD televisions and DVD player, Chris Donohue with Sound Depot installed and customer fabricated the lights, sirens and radio system and Fastsigns donated the custom striping, fabrication and application of the design.
“That’s what makes Madison so special,” Jeff said. “That’s the community coming together. This truly is the total package.”
Lt. John Stringer will have the honor of driving the vehicle.
“A lot of different people have contributed to this and we’re very appreciative of that,” Stringer said. “It truly caught on throughout the community.”
