June 09, 2025
Local News

County receives surplus military vehicle

The French and Roos families look at the Ogle County Sheriff's Department's Caiman 6x6 truck when it was displayed at Touch a Truck June 13. Photo by Chris Johnson

By Chris Johnson

cxjohnson@oglecountynews.com

Lightly used military vehicle with warranty and less than 400 miles with a price tag too good to resist.

That was what Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle found when looking for a new vehicle to improve options available during winter storms to keep the public safe.

“We were looking at another truck to assist the department during snowstorms,” said VanVickle. “Stephenson County received one of these trucks and I looked at getting one.”

The truck is a BAE Caiman 6x6 MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) from the US Department of Defense and Homeland Security, which provided the vehicle at no cost to the county.

The vehicle was delivered in April and inspected before being declared ready for service.

It will serve multiple roles in the county.

“Primarily it will be used in snow storms to get stranded people out of the weather,” said VanVickle. “Some people are unable to ride on snowmobiles and this truck can get through the snow.”

During severe winter weather the sheriff’s department has utilized local snowmobile clubs to help with rescuing stranded motorists.

VanVickle said their help has been invaluable during the winter months.

The Caiman has a heated space with bench seating.

During flooding the truck can safely traverse water that regular pick-up trucks are unable to cross.

A Caiman weighs 14 tons and can carry 5,400 pounds in the cargo area. It has a clearance of 23 inches with 6 wheel drive.

“The truck will help our department in all severe weather situations,” said VanVickle.

A third use for the truck is one the sheriff never wants to use.

“It is a bullet resistant vehicle that the ERT(Emergency Response Team) can use,” said VanVickle.

They would use the vehicle during training or for bomb calls or active shooter situations.

The Caiman has a value of $733,000 and is still under warranty and came with a spare set of tires and rims.

Minimal work will be needed to maintain the vehicle.

“We are going to leave the vehicle as is for now, but we will need to paint it in the future,” said VanVickle. “The vehicle is solid and ready to use.”

The vehicle was displayed at the Oregon Park District’s Touch a Truck event June 13, and the sheriff may bring the vehicle to other events to display the truck.