HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-06-16 - Tukwila Police Department K9 Doc Awarded Ballistic VestCity Of Tukwila
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PRESS RELEASE
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Tukwila K9 Receives Protective Vest
Tukwila Police Department
6/16/15
Ofc. Zack Anderson
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Jim Haggerton, Mayor
Michael Villa, Chief of Police
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(206) 433 -7187
Tukwila Police Department's K9 Doc has been awarded a bullet and stab protective vest
The Tukwila Police Department's K9 Doc has been awarded a ballistic vest thanks to a nonprofit
organization, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., and a fundraising event held by, Jack Hassing, a
student at University Place Primary School provided $950.00 for K9 Doc's vest. The vest will
be embroidered with the sentiment "Stay safe with love from Jack & the Hassing Family ".
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 and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and
related agencies throughout the United States. Each vest costs $950.00 and has a 5 year warranty.
The nonprofit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially
lifesaving body armor for their four legged K9 Officers. Through private and corporate
sponsorships, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 1417 law enforcement dogs in 49 states
with protective vests since 2009 at a cost of over $1.3 million dollars.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. announces their signature tank top is now available online for a
$20.00 donation at www.vik9s.org. Proceeds will provide bullet and stab protective vests, for
police dogs actively working without the potentially lifesaving equipment.
The organization orders the U.S. made vests exclusively from distributor Regency Police Supply
in Hyannis, MA who also does the custom embroidery on the body armor. Vests are
manufacturer by Armor Express in Central Lake, MI.
New K9 graduates as well as K9's with expired vests are eligible to participate. The program is
open to law enforcement dogs who are US employed, certified and at least 19 months of age.
For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508- 824 -6978. Tax
deductible donations accepted via mail to: Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. P.O. Box 9 East Taunton,
MA 02718 or the website: www.vik9s.org
6200 Southcenter Blvd. Tukwila, WA 98188 • Phone (206)433 -1808 • Records Fax (206)244 -6181
Bio for K9 Doc:
Handler, Officer Boehmer, and Doc are a generalist K -9 team with the Tukwila Police
Department. The two completed their 570 hour training course with Redmond and Bellevue PDs
in July 2014. The team then joined the patrol division and is currently working with a night shift
squad. Doc is a 2 year old Shepherd who was born in Hungary then sent to Vohne Liche
Kennels where he was handpicked by Officer Boehmer and the Tukwila K9 Cadre before
promptly beginning his training at only 13 months old. Doc and Officer Boehmer were trained
as a generalist team. Their deployment capabilities include suspect tracking and apprehension,
evidence location, and building /area searches. Doc lives to work and enjoys nothing more than
coming to patrol with his fellow Tukwila Officers. On his days off Doc lives with Officer
Boehmer and his family. He enjoys playing with his other dog Drake, a black lab and loves
going to the cabin, swimming and especially boat rides.
Released by:
Public Information Officer Anderson
(206) 433 -7187
6200 Southcenter Blvd. Tukwila, WA 98188 • Phone (206)433 -1808 • Records Fax (206)244 -6181