On November 21, 2024, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) received two ballistic vests for use by our two K-9’s Sodder and Ioni. These vests were donated to the JCSO by an organization known as Protect the Paws.
Protect the Paws is a 501 (C)(3) non-profit charity based in Miami Florida. The charity was founded in 2011 by four women after reading an article about a child who, in lieu of birthday gifts, asked family and friends to donate towards a Police K-9 bulletproof vest. They were so moved by this article that they wanted to do their part in protecting these K-9 heroes.
Since then, Protect the Paws has raised funds for 161 vests supporting 43 Law Enforcement agencies in 8 states.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office K-9’s Sodder and Ioni are valuable assets to the JCSO. They serve as not only search dogs for illicit drugs, persons and articles, but also provide protection for their partners as well as other officers on scene.
They are often placed in possibly dangerous and volatile situations and these vests will provide the protection they need for the jobs they perform.
Having these vests also brings a confidence and assurance of their safety to their partners who work with them on a daily basis.
Deputy Bradley Shell is partnered with K-9 Sodder and Investigator Corey Lowery is partnered with K-9 Ioni.
The JCSO would like to thank Protect the Paws for their mission to supply law enforcement agencies with this equipment and their dedication to protecting our K-9 partners throughout the nation, and their donation to our agency.
