The Alexandria Police Department’s K9 Axl Receives Donation of Body Armor Through the Alexandria Police Foundation
The Alexandria Police Department’s K9 Axl Receives Donation of Body Armor Through the Alexandria Police Foundation
Alexandria, Va. – The Alexandria Police Department’s K9 Axl has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation made to the Alexandria Police Foundation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Axl’s vest was sponsored by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of K9 Hobbs, Des Moines, IA - EOW 12/12/23”.
The Alexandria Police Department K9 teams support all sections of the Police Department. The K9 teams are regularly used to search buildings and other areas for suspects, conduct searches for evidence, track suspects, and detect the presence of concealed narcotics or explosives.
K9 Axl is one of four K9s in the Alexandria Police Department K9 Unit who have received a vest from Vested Interest. K9 Axl was born on March 16, 2019, in the Netherlands. He is assigned to K9 Officer Douglass Serven II. K9 Axl began his training with the Alexandria Police Department in March 2020 and graduated from patrol school in July 2020. K9 Axl was trained in obedience, tracking, evidence searches, area searches, building searches, handler protection, and criminal apprehension. K9 Axl continued his training and graduated from explosive ordinance detection school in August 2022. K9 Axl and his handler, Officer Douglas Serven II have been working as a team for four years and have responded to hundreds of calls for service yearly. When K9 Axl is off he enjoys playing with his Kong toys and and long walks with his handler.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity 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. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S.-made, custom-fitted, and NIJ-certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 5,514 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations.
The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $985 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1800.00, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty. 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 donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.