Romeoville Police Department K9 receives body armor donation

The Romeoville Police Department’s K9 Rood received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from Vested Interest in K9s, a nonprofit organization.

The K9′s vest was sponsored by Jay and Carol Brickles of Green Valley, Arizona, and embroidered with the sentiment “Honoring those who served and sacrificed,” according to a village news release.

The potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is American made and custom fitted.

Vested Interest in K9s is a charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the country. Since its inception, the nonprofit has provided over 4,100 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations.

This program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate.

There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the U.S., according to the news release.

For more information on Vested Interest in K9s and to donate, visit vik9s.org.