Brookfield Police Dog Gets Gift of Body Armor

BROOKFIELD, CT -- The Brookfield Police Department’s K9, Major, has received a donation of body armor.

The bullet- and stab-protective vest was a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. The vest was sponsored by Reimer and Bevis Families of Middletown, and embroidered with the sentiment “Born to Love - Trained to Serve - Loyal Always.”

“I would like to thank the Reimer and Bevis family for providing my partner with this vital piece of equipment," said Officer Kyek, Major's handler. "It is reassuring to know he is now further protected, thank you!”

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) charity located in East Taunton, MA whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 2,900 protective vests in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $5.7 million dollars.

The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.

The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $950.00. Each vest has a value between $1,744 – $2,283, and a five-year warranty and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

Photo provided.