Post-Hurricane Katrina 'Hero'

Contact: Laz Denes, 256-717-8014 [email protected] www.smith-wesson-racing.com Post-Hurricane Katrina ‘Hero’ Named Honorary Crew Chief For Smith & Wesson NASCAR Busch Series Team at California SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (August 31, 2006) – Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary, 154-year-old global provider of products and services for safety, security, protection and sport, honors its third law enforcement hero of the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series season as Deputy Chief Anthony Cannatella of the New Orleans Police Department will serve as honorary crew chief of the #30 Smith & Wesson Chevrolet team of SKI Motorsports and veteran driver Mike Bliss at the Sept. 2 Ameriquest 300 at California Speedway. Cannatella, the latest in a line of law enforcement heroes honored by Smith & Wesson in partnership with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Grand Lodge national headquarters, is being recognized for his gallant and heroic leadership in commanding the rescue and relief efforts of the NOPD’s Sixth District in the aftermath of the Hurricane Katrina disaster that began a year ago this week. In the devastated portions of uptown and mid-city New Orleans, Cannatella, a 39-year police veteran, remarkably kept all but two of his 112-member force together during and after the storm. They rode it out together in the Sixth District Station, proceeded to clear roadways in the immediate aftermath so that his fleet could attend to disaster victims, then manned a combination food and water distribution center and citizen evacuation site in a Wal-Mart parking lot that became his command and control center. “In the wake of one of the worst disasters in recorded history, Chief Cannatella and his Sixth District took a lead role in a truly monumental rescue and relief effort, the likes of which most of us can’t even imagine,” said Patrick Yoes, FOP Grand Lodge National Secretary. “As the world looks back on the first anniversary of Katrina, and remembers the many victims of the horrific storm and the devastation it left behind, it is fitting that we also recognize the stories of bravery and courage that emerged from it. We salute Chief Cannatella for his efforts and service to the citizens of New Orleans.” The #30 Smith & Wesson Racing Chevrolet of SKI Motorsports features a unique “black-and-white” law enforcement paint scheme with FOP logo displayed on the deck lid. The tribute, which debuted last fall at NBS events at Texas and Phoenix, continued this season at Darlington, S.C., and Gateway Raceway outside St. Louis before coming to Fontana, Calif., this weekend. The 2006 campaign concludes at Kansas Speedway Sept. 30. “It takes a very special and dedicated individual to accomplish what Chief Cannatella and his forces were able to accomplish under such unprecedented circumstances,” said Tom Taylor, Smith & Wesson Vice President of Marketing. “He exhibited remarkable foresight and strategic thinking in first gathering his forces and support equipment, then mobilizing them in such a highly effective manner. We know for a fact they saved several hundred storm victims who were trapped in attics and on rooftops. And that was just the beginning.” Cannatella is a third-generation law enforcement officer. His father, his two brothers, his son, his uncle and his nephew all are or were police officers. Practice and qualifying for the Ameriquest 300 begin Friday, Sept. 1. Race time is 10 p.m. EDT the following evening with live coverage provided by the TNT cable network. ABOUT THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE The Fraternal Order of Police is the world’s largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers, with more than 324,000 members in more than 2,100 lodges. It is the voice of those who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving their communities. It is committed to improving the working conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety of those they serve through education, legislation, information, community involvement, and employee representation. No one knows the dangers and the difficulties faced by today’s police officers better than another officer, and no one knows police officers better than the FOP. Founded in 1915, the FOP is still “Building on a Proud Tradition.” ABOUT SMITH & WESSON Smith & Wesson is the global provider of products and services for the safety, security, protection and sport markets. The company manufactures firearms and handcuffs and is home to America’s longest-running firearms training facilities for America’s public servants. The company also markets a variety of products for sport shooters, including firearm safety/security devices, shooter protective gear, knives, apparel and other accessory lines. The Company is based in Springfield, Mass., with manufacturing facilities in Springfield and Houlton, Maine. Contact (800) 331-0852, or log on to www.smith-wesson.com. # # # .

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