Illinois State Police K-9, Chief, to receive body armor

A K-9 officer for Illinois State Police District 5 in southwest suburban Joliet will receive a protective vest in a few weeks from a nonprofit organization focused on helping police dogs.

The dog, Chief, will now have a bullet and stab protective vest while on patrol with his handler, trooper James Kirr, according to a statement from Illinois State Police.

Chief is a 2-year-old Belgium Malinois and German Shepard mix and a full-service, multi-purpose police K-9, ISP said.

The vest is a donation from a nonprofit organization, Vest Interest in K9s, and is sponsored by the Protecting K9 Heroes Fundraiser, ISP said. It will be embroidered with a sentiment to remember K-9 Jethro from Canton, Ohio.

The vest program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement agencies and at least 20 months old.