Nonprofit donates body armor to Prairie Grove Police Department K-9

Diago, Prairie Grove Police Department’s K-9, recently received a donated bullet and stab protective vest from the nonprofit Vested Interest in K9s Inc.

The vest was sponsored by Don and Misty Fike of Galesburg, according to a news release sent from the village. Embroidered on the vest are the words “Honoring those who served and sacrificed.”

Diago is Prairie Grove’s first K-9. The department acquired Diago in August 2019 with the help of donations from Prairie Grove businesses and local community donations.

Vested Interest in K9s’ mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs in law enforcement and other agencies in the U.S., according to the release.

The “potentially lifesaving body armor” is made in the U.S., custom-fitted and certified by the National Institute of Justice, according to the release.

Vested Interest in K9s has provided more than 4,000 vests to dogs in all 50 states since it was established in 2009. Each vest has a value of up to $2,283, weighs an average of 4 to 5 pounds and comes with a five-year warranty.