K9 Atlas Receives Body Armor Donation: Arlington Heights PD

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — The newest member of the Arlington Heights Police Department will be a safer dog when out on calls thanks to a body armor donation. K9 Atlas, a 2 1/2-year-old male German Shepherd, joined the force in June.

K9 Atlas is partnered with Officer Jeff Heffernan.

Within in the next 10 weeks, K9 Atlas will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., based in Massachusetts. According to AHPD, K9 Atlas' vest will be embroidered with the sentiment, "This gift of protection provided by Vested Interest in K9s."

"Like police officers, K9 partners are equally susceptible to violence inflicted by the criminal element," AHPD said in a news release. "In fact, a police working dog website details over 60 canines killed in the line of duty from gunshot or sharp force traumatic injury in the past five years (www.cpwda.com). Soft body armor vest manufacturers recognized this threat and produce a ballistic garment to protect police working dogs."

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity 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 potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and certified by the National Institute of Justice.