PROTECTIVE VEST SUIT TO HAVE SPECIAL REMEMBRANCE HONORING NOTE OF RECENT PASSING OF LAWRENCE COUNTY DEPUTY FROM RARE ILLNESS
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The four legged officer of the Lawrence County Sheriff Department is getting a very lucky gift from a well known charity organization that benefits police dogs across the country with major protective equipment upgrades with free body armor for police dogs.
According to the official press release from the donor group and posted on social media on Monday, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office K9 officer ‘Dino’, will receive a bullet and stab protective vest, thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.
K9 Dino’s vest will be embroidered with the sentiment “In Memory of Sgt. Joe Wojtowicz, EOW 9-18-2021”.
Special deputy sergeant Joseph Wojtowicz passed away at age 60 on September 18, 2021, at a hospital in Johnson County, KY; that according to the Lawrence County Sheriff Office, reportedly as a result from complications from the infectious respiratory disease SARS;Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory disease of zoonotic origin caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV or SARS-CoV-1), the first identified strain of the SARS coronavirus species severe acute respiratory syndrome–related coronavirus (SARSr-CoV). The syndrome caused the 2002–2004 SARS outbreak.
SARS is a relatively rare disease; at the end of the epidemic in June 2003, the incidence was 8,469 cases with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 11%. No cases of SARS-CoV-1 have been reported worldwide since 2004. SARS is a direct cousin of another strain of SARSr-CoV that was identified in December 2019 as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This new strain causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a disease which brought about the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, deputy Joseph Wojtowicz reportedly was tested multiple times during his hospitalization and all were ruled negative for COVID-19
Meanwhile, as for now, the delivery of the body armor vest for K9 Dino is expected to arrive within eight to ten weeks.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity 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. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and NIJ certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 4,450 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations.
The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $960 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1,744 to $2,283, weighs an average of 4 to 5 pounds, and comes with a five-year warranty.
For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities for this, do please call this telephone number (508-824-6978). Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, Massachusetts 02718.
Sorry for the loss of the deputy but glad to see they are wanting to honor him. On another note believe the vest will be wasted here as the K9 program the sheriff promised in his campaign has never materialized. Over the last 3 years have never heard of any use they have got out the K9s for getting drugs many off the street. Just because someone donates a vest doesn’t mean it will get used in Lawrence County. Then again it is an election year coming up so will probably be “alot” reported now.
I have read several articles about the dog being used and detection of drugs because of the 4 legged officer here in Lawrence Co. This department has done an outstanding job since taking over in a short time. The sheriff and his deputies are a great group of people and keep our community safe and they care about the people in our county. I have worked with these people on several different adventures and see the MAJOR difference they are making daily on LC!! Election year has nothing to do with the work they are doing to keep you and me safe here at home!!