Jackson County K-9 to get body armor

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Jackson County Sheriff's Office K-9 deputy Gunner will be receiving body armor thanks to a donation from Vested Interest in K9s and sponsorship from the James Brockmeyer Memorial Fund.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">According to a news release from the sheriff's office, Gunner's bullet-and-stab-protective vest will be embroidered with the sentiment "In loving memory of Officer James I. Brockmeyer."</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">In the release, Sheriff Robert Burns wished to express his thanks to the Brockmeyer family for their sponsorship.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Gunner's partner, Deputy Brandon Crain, is a former Chester Police officer who worked with Brockmeyer prior to joining the sheriff's office in 2015. Delivery of Gunner's body armor is expected within eight to 10 weeks.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) charity located in East Taunton, Mass., 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.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">The nonprofit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided more than 2,400 protective vests in 50 states through private and corporate donations at a cost of more than $1.9 million.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">All vests are custom made by Armor Express in Central Lake, Mich.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K-9 is $1,050. Each vest has a five-year warranty, and an average weight of 4 to 5 lbs.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K-9s nationally.</span>