Lake County, IL – A Lake County Sheriff’s Office K9 will soon receive new lifesaving protection thanks to a charitable donation aimed at keeping police dogs safe in the line of duty.
According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, K9 Hemi will receive a bullet- and stab-resistant body armor vest donated by the national nonprofit Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. The vest will be custom-fitted, U.S.-made, and certified by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), with delivery expected within 10 weeks.
The vest has been sponsored through Vested Interest in K9s and will be embroidered with the message “In memory of Amy.” Officials say the donation provides an added layer of protection for K9 Hemi during active deployments across Lake County.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., founded in 2009, is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing protective vests and assistance to law enforcement K9s nationwide. Since its inception, the organization has distributed more than 6,225 vests valued at $6.9 million to police dogs in all 50 states, funded through private and corporate donations.
The program is open to U.S. law enforcement dogs that are at least 20 months old, actively employed, and certified with a law enforcement or related agency. K9s with expired vests are also eligible. Nationwide, there are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s currently in service.
Sheriff John D. Idleburg praised the donation, saying the support helps ensure canine partners have the best safety equipment available while serving the community.
Each vest typically costs $1,800, weighs about 4–5 pounds, and comes with a five-year warranty. The nonprofit accepts tax-deductible donations, with a $1,050 contribution sponsoring one vest.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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