Ptl. Marc Micciulla and K-9 Storm
The Manchester Township Police Department is pleased to announce that K-9 Storm’s body armor has arrived. On October 7, K-9 Storm received a bullet and stab protective vest courtesy of a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. It is embroidered with the sentiment, “In Memory of K-9 Rocco Pittsburgh Bureau of Police,” to honor K-9 Rocco who was killed in the line of duty.
The arrival of the vest could not have come at a better time. It just so happened that the morning after the vest was received it was used to protect K-9 Storm while tracking a subject armed with a knife. The subject was subsequently apprehended by police officers as K-9 Storm and his handler, Ptl. Marc Micciulla, tracked his position.
“The generous donation of the vest by the Vested Interest in K9s organization will help to ensure K-9 Storm’s safety as he serves and protects the residents, visitors and police officers of Manchester Township,” Manchester Township Police Chief Lisa Parker said.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) charity located in East Taunton, MA, 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. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K-9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided more than 1,590 protective vests in 49 states through private and corporate donations, at a cost of over $1.5 million. All vests are custom made in the USA by Armor Express in Central Lake, MI.
The program is open to dogs actively employed in the United States with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 19 months of age. New K-9 graduates, as well as K-9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.
The suggested donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K-9 is $1,050. Each vest has a value between $1,795 – $2,234 and a five-year warranty. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K-9s throughout the United States. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.