The Sac County Sheriff’s Department announced this week that Havoc, who has been with the department for four years, has received a bullet and stab protective vest from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

“These dogs can go into high stress situations with knives and guns involved,” said Sgt. Jonathan Meyer, who is also Havoc’s handler. “Their organs are protected with these vests. Only six departments a year receive these vests, so for us to receive one and keep our dog safe, that really means a great deal.”

The vest was sponsored by Roxanne Rowedder of Provost Point Resort, Inc in Lake View. The vest is embroidered with “in memory of Byron C. Provost.”

“It’s great that our community came together for our K9 program,” said Meyer. “A lot of agencies lack funding for important items like this.”

The body armor is U.S. made, custom fitted, and National Institute of Justice certified.

Vested Interest in K9s is a 501(c)(3) whose mission it is to provide protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States.

Since the charity was established in 2009, more than 5,837 vests have been provided to K9s in all 50 states at a value of more than $6.9 million, all made possible by both private and corporate donations.