A Springfield Police Officer wasn't wearing his protective vest when he was stabbed, and he wasn't required to. Unlike firefighters, who must wear helmets and heavy turnout gear for protection, it's up to each police officer to decide if they want to wear a vest or not.

"I tell every officer I work with to wear one, if they don't I won't work with them," says Sgt. John Delaney of the Springfield Police Department.

Delaney takes a tough line, and says the majority of his officers do wear them, but officer Kevin Fitzgerald didn't have on his vest when he was stabbed in the chest. It's not clear if it would have made a difference in this case.

"There are still some circumstances that could occur that could result in a very serious injury to the officer," says Sgt. Norman Charest.

Sgt. Norman Charest has been with the Springfield Police Department for 20 years and has worn four different vests during that time. He says years ago, they were bigger, and bulkier. Today they are much lighter, but still weigh about six pounds. "Older officers, when those vests first came out they were very bulky and they may have found them very uncomfortable and they will never pick them up again," adds Charest.

According to the Department of Justice, body armor while on duty is mandatory for about 60 percent of departments nationwide. And while it's not mandatory here in Springfield, many police officials want it to be a policy. "I would hope that a lesson is learned not just for Springfield cops, but cops throughout the country they should wear the vests everyday, it's just something that is available to them and they can do it," says Sgt. Delaney.