The Sterling City Council has approved the donation of two former police squad cars to Ukraine, where emergency response teams are in severe need of vehicles.
“We could not use it. No one in the United States could utilize it. It couldn’t be given to a volunteer organization either. So, regardless of politics, having someone really use this is a fantastic thing,” said Sterling City Clerk Teri Sathoff.
The two 2021 Ford Interceptor squad cars that were previously patrolling Sterling’s streets will be donated to US Ambulances for Ukraine, an organization that has already delivered 90 vehicles, including ambulances and fire trucks, to help Ukraine’s conflict relief efforts.
“We sent one ambulance with more than 400,000 miles on it. It served in Ukraine for roughly two and a half months before being blown up in combat and destroyed. But in just two and a half months, it transported around 1200 injured and wounded individuals,” said Chris Manson, President and Founder of US Ambulances for Ukraine.
Before being shipped overseas, the squad cars will be stripped of their police equipment and repurposed for emergency services once in Ukraine.
This is hardly Sterling’s first contribution to the cause. In 2023, Sterling also donated an out-of-service fire truck to the charity.
“There were many area organizations that had antiquated medical equipment that they couldn’t utilize anymore. We packed the fire vehicle with various items. People signed the dash. There were messages jammed in there. “It was a really neat thing to do,” Sathoff added.
Manson emphasized that each vehicle they deliver is an instrument for saving lives.
“The Sterling fire engine just last night, they had a bunch of drone strikes, and that’s that Sterling fire engine was the first on scene.”
Manson stated that their mission to rescue lives and deliver relief would continue.
“It feels good to serve others. When I initially became involved, my daughter asked, ‘Hey, Dad, what can we do to help?’ Over the last three years and eight travels, I’ve established many acquaintances in Ukraine. I’m worried for them and want to make sure they have all they need. Knowing we can contribute, even in tiny ways, makes a difference.”
According to the organization, these two SUVs will be part of a cargo of between 10 and 14 vehicles. They will be picked up in April, shipped on the 10th, and delivered to Ukraine in May.
The Muscatine Fire Department, Genesis Health, and the Illinois State Police have all made comparable grants in the past.
