PHILADELPHIA — Showing gratitude to local law enforcement, the $600 million American Heritage Federal Credit Union has donated $5,000 to the Upper Merion Township Police Department for the purchase of 16 Taser stun guns.

The suburban police agency, accustomed to receiving token $100 gifts from corporate benefactors, said it was the largest gift ever received and expressed thanks to the CU for the generous donation.

Bruce R. Foulke, president/CEO of American Heritage, said the purchase was a means of showing “we're good neighbors and to thank the department for a great job Upper Merion Police did for us on a serious robbery at one of our branches.”

The robbery at American Heritage's King of Prussia branch which did not involve injuries but did include a bomb threat “was handled superbly and we appreciate the way they informed us about what was going all along,” said Foulke.

American Heritage does not look at the gun purchase as setting any kind of precedent for other law enforcement agencies since “this was a one of a kind event.” Nonetheless, he said the American Heritage will always consider traditional requests from other suburban departments as they are presented.