Canine officers with the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department are a lot safer on the job now, thanks to the community. The K-9 unit only had a few ballistic vests available and after one of the dogs was brutally stabbed by a suspect, the department reached out to the media to get donors interested in helping the whole K-9 team.
Locals were happy to help and donations came in. The department was able to get all 12 canine officers the protective gear necessary for their work. The stab-resistant bulletproof vests are $1,500 each and should last for around five years.
“It really helps every single one of us sleep better at night knowing our partners are protected,” Deputy Dave Gherardi says. “I am thankful for all these people that open their hearts and their wallets to help us out.”
Source: CBS Sacramento