The vest is a donation from a nonprofit organization called Vested Interest in K-9s, Inc. K-9 Kina's vest will be embroidered with, "In memory of K-9 Rocco Pittsburgh Bureau of Police."
"It's as bullet proof vest just like the officers wear, so she'll now be protected," Greenwood Police Chief Will Dawson said. "She had a vest donated several years ago and with everything the K-9's go through, it's hard to keep those up to the grade they need to be for service. So, this is a great donation that we are ecstatic about receiving."
Vested Interest in K-9s, Inc. provided over 2,000 protective vests to K-9s in 50 states through private and corporate donations at a cost of over $1.7 million. All vests are custom made in the USA, according to a press release.
The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K-9 graduates, as well as K-9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.
Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.
Kina was wounded back in August during a shootout that led to the death of Sebastian County Cpl. Bill Cooper.