Brick Woman Donates Police K-9 Vest To Honor Her Dog's Memory

BRICK, NJ — When Donna Mitchell lost her beloved Lhasa Apso, Frosty, in 2018, she wanted to do something to honor the pet who'd been her faithful companion for eight years.

She decided the best way to honor Frosty was to provide protection for the dogs who help Brick Township police: Mitchell purchased a protective vest for one of the police department's K9 officers.

On Thursday, Mitchell got to meet the recipient of her generosity: K9 Echo, who completed his training along with Patrolman Scott Smith, Echo's handler. Mitchell stopped by the police department to see how K9 Echo's body armor was working out.

Echo's vest, which is built to exceed threat level II standards and can stop a variety of handgun rounds and bladed weapons, bears the memory of Frosty with the words, "In Memory of Frosty Mitchell."

During the reunion, Smith showed Mitchell the memorialization of Frosty, which is embroidered on the vest.

"The words are on the vest right where Echo’s heart is," Smith said.

Understandably, it was an emotional moment for Donna Mitchell, Brick Sgt. Jim Kelly, who chronicled the meeting, said.

The vest is a patrol/swat vest made by the company K9 Storm and cost more than $3,000. Through custom sizing and special design, it cuts back on material, keeping it light enough to allow Echo to maintain full mobility and agility while also keeping his heat levels down.

The Brick Police K9 unit, overseen by Sgt. Paul Catalina, has five K9 teams: Catalina and Duke; Patrolman Keith Prendeville and Max; Patrolman Daniel Fogarty and Rigby; Patrolman John Turrin and Vader, and Smith and Echo.

"Thanks to Donna’s generosity, and Frosty’s memory, (Smith and Echo) can do (their jobs) so more safely now," Kelly said.

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