The Lake County Sheriff’s Office announced that K9 Zack, an explosive and firearm detection dog, will receive a donated bullet and stab protective vest from the nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.
The donation aims to enhance the safety of law enforcement dogs while allowing agencies to allocate more resources toward training and equipment. The program is available to working U.S. law enforcement K9s that are at least 20 months old, certified with an agency, and currently active in service, including dogs whose existing vests have expired, among an estimated 30,000 K9s serving nationwide, according to a press release by Lake County.
K9 Zack’s protective vest was sponsored by Rachel Highland of Highland Sealcoating in Mundelein, Illinois, and will be embroidered with the dedication “In memory of Zachary Scott Goldberg,” with delivery expected within about ten weeks according to a press release by Lake County.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, provides bullet and stab protective vests, opioid reversal kits, and other resources to law enforcement dogs across the U.S. Since 2009, the organization has donated over 5,878 K9 ballistic vests, 3,300 NARCAN kits, and more than $469,840 in medical insurance premiums through its Healthcare for K9 Heroes program. It has also contributed over $186,621 in medical first aid kits, funded decoy training seminars, and donated custom-fitted patrol vehicles and advanced training equipment according to the What We Do webpage provided by Vested Interest in K9s.
“Vested Interest in K9s has been a valuable partner not only to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, but to law enforcement agencies across the region and nation. Their generosity in providing protective vests allows us to dedicate additional K9 funding toward advanced training and state-of-the-art equipment to further enhance the safety of our teams. We are grateful that all of our K9s are equipped with this critical protection,” said Sheriff John D. Idleburg according to a press release by Lake County.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for maintaining order, upholding laws, and protecting the rights of individuals in the community. The office focuses on service through education, communication, partnerships, and enforcement with the goal of building public trust. Its core values include integrity, respect, and professionalism. The office holds accreditation ensuring adherence to recognized standards in law enforcement. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office began with the county’s founding in 1839 and has expanded over time according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office website.
