On Friday, April 22nd, six Newport News Police Department patrol K9s – K9 Amir, K9 Bane, K9 Jinx, K9 Hammer, K9 Havoc and K9 Zidan – received custom-fitted ballistic vests, courtesy of Spike’s K9 Fun, to protect them on the job. Our 7th patrol K9, Klause, will receive his vest soon. Each vest is valued at $2,500.

In January, K9 Krijger of the Norfolk Police Department was shot and killed after responding to a domestic dispute. Following the incident, James Hatch, Founder of Spike’s K9 Fund (a 501c3 non-profit organization), established the K9 Krijger Ballistic Vest Campaign hoping to provide ballistic vests for all canines in the Norfolk Police Department. When CNN’s Anderson Cooper learned of the incident and James Hatch’s efforts to raise funds for vests, he graciously donated his entire speaking fee from an event in Norfolk in January to Spike’s K9 Fund. With the funds donated by Anderson Cooper, other donors, including Smoke BBQ, and several fundraising events, Spike’s K9 Fund raised enough money to supply ballistic vests to over 40 Police canines in the Hampton Roads area, including our very own K9s.  

With the help of K9 Storm, Inc. (a canine tactical gear company), canines throughout Hampton Roads were measured and fitted for custom vests back in January and received them last Friday. The ballistic vests are embroidered with the department the K9 serves with, the K9’s name, the donor’s name and K-148 (K9 Krijger’s service number).