WEST LONG BRANCH - Two Monmouth County Sheriff's Office K-9's will be getting a new bulletproof vest thanks in part to a fundraising efforts by a group of students at Monmouth University, authorities said.
The Alpha Phi Sigma's Criminal Justice Honor Society held its 4th Annual Paws for a Cause event on Wednesday, raising $600, according to Sheriff Shaun Golden. The vests cost $850 each and the department plans to purchase two for K-9s who specialize in patrol.
"The 4th Annual Paws for a Cause Event proved to be a success and we are grateful to the members of Alpha Phi Sigma for their dedication to this cause," Golden said in an email. "Our K-9 teams deal in suspect apprehension and can be placed in harm's way. That's why it's crucial they are protected while maintaining public safety."
In 1997, a sheriff's office K-9 named Solo was shot and killed during an attempt to apprehend a wanted individual. The dog was not wearing a vest at the time, according to the sheriff's office.
Members of the sheriff's office K-9 Unit were at the event and officers spoke about the unit and performed demonstrations.
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