HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-10-17 - Tukwila Police Department K9 Ace Awarded Ballistic Vest
City Of Tukwila
Jim Haggerton, Mayor
Michael Villa, Chief of Police
Police Department
An Accredited Agency
Distr ibution:
Local Media
Mayor’s Office
City Administrator
City Clerk’s Office
Council Analyst
PD Administration
For Immediate Distribution
PD Supervisors
PD Records
Tukwila Police Department K9 Ace has been awarded a ballistic vest tha nks to the nonprofit orga nization
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc . Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a Massachusetts based nonprofit organization
and Armor Express, a Michigan based manufacturer. An incentive program offered by Armor Express of
Central Lake, MI. to Vested Interest in K 9s, Inc . has provi ded 13 law enforcement dogs in 7 states with
ballistic vests. For every 15 vests purchased by the charity, a free vest was awarded. Vests were donated
to K9's in North Carolina, Oklahoma, Ohio, Washington, Michigan, Colorado, and Tenness ee.
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 for law enforcement dogs throughout the United States. Each vest
costs $950.00 and has a 5 year warranty. The non - profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement
agen cies with this potentially life - saving body armor for their four legged K9 officers. Through private
and corporate sponsorships, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 1100 law enfor cement dogs
with protective vests since their inception in August of 2009. Over $1,045, 000 in K9 vests have been
donated in 39 states including Alaska and Hawaii.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. announces their calendar on sale now for $15.00 online at www.vik9s.org and
at select retailers. Proceeds from the sales will provide bullet and stab protective vests all goods and
services for the calendar were donated by generous sponsors, photographers and participating law
e nforcement agency for police dogs actively working without the potentially lifesaving equipment.
The organization orders the Armor Express vests made in Central Lake, MI , exclusively from distributor
Regency Supply in Hyannis, MA. who also does the custo m embroidery on the body armor.
New K9 graduates as well as K9's with expired vests are eligible to apply for the ballistic vests. The
program is open to US employed and certified K9's who are at least 19 months of age.
For more information visit w ww.vik9s.org or call 508 - 824 - 6978. Donations by mail to Vested Interest in
K9's P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA. 02718 or via the website.
BIO for K9 Ace : Handler, Officer Frank, and Ace are a generalist K - 9 team with the Tukwila Police
Department. The two completed their 480 hour training course with the Redmond Police Department in
spring of 2013. The team then joined the patrol division and is currently working with a night shift squad.
Ace is a three year old German Shepard who was purchased from Von Grunheide Kennels in Snohomish.
Ace was born in northern Germany and imported to the United States in 2012. Ace and Officer Frank
were trained as a generalist team. Their deployment capabilities include suspect tracking and
apprehension, evidence locat ion, and building/area searches. Ace lives to work and enjoys nothing more
than coming to patrol with his fellow Tukwila Officers. On his days off Ace lives with Officer Frank and
his family. He enjoys playing fetch with Officer Frank’s daughter, doing barrel rolls in the yard, and sun
bathing, yet he would rather skip his water baths.
( 206)433 - - 6181
Released by:
Commander Drever
(206) 431 - 3669
( 206)433 - - 6181