|
|
| Ohio nonprofit organization presents check for ballistic vest for local K9 |
|
|
3/22/2019
By Brianna Stephens
Advocate Staff writer
K9 Bommel of the Mt. Sterling Police Dept., with his handler, Officer Aaron Roberts, was presented a check for a custom fit ballistic vest March 16.
Roberts went through the application process with The Lovis Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Ohio that honors the life of Logan Brinson, in an effort to give his K9 companion the protection he needs.
Logan, who suffered from several medical conditions because of an undiagnosed genetic condition, underwent more that 100 procedures at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. He died at the age of 19 due to complications from pneumonia.
Each year the foundation chooses one applicant to award a vest to and announced Bommel as the latest recipient earlier this year. The check presented was in the amount of $3,099 and will cover the cost of Bommel’s vest.
The foundation partnered with the organization K9 Storm Inc. to provide the vest. Bommel was fitted for his vest immediately following the check presentation. He will receive it soon.
K9 Storm Inc. was founded in 1997 by former Winnipeg Police K9 Handler Jim Slater as a result of his work with his police service dog, Olaf.
While working with joint forces operations, Slater realized Olaf was severely unprotected during their encounters with armed and dangerous criminals. When nothing on the market could satisfy the need to protect Olaf and allow him to do the job effectively, according to the organization’s website, Slater used his own personal ballistic panels to create the first custom-fit K9 Storm Patrol Swat Vest.
The vest will not only protect Bommel from bullets, but will also provide him protection from blade attacks, Roberts said. He added now with Montgomery County’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, Bommel “would be working even more now and more intensely” and wanted to ensure he had the best protection.
The Lovis Foundation aims to spread joy by supporting initiatives and nonprofit partners that reflect Logan’s passions, including the arts, patriotism, first responders and community outreach.
“We try to fill gaps in community funding, and what we found is that some of the bigger cities have more resources, so it does make a difference when you’re able to help a smaller community,” said Rene Brinson, Logan’s mother and the president and founder of the foundation. She was also on hand for the presentation. “It’s special to be here.”
After reviewing Roberts’ application and essay, Brinson said she was touched by his words and knew the foundation’s board would pick Bommel to receive the vest.
What struck Brinson about Roberts’ essay was his commitment to his family, his K9 and the community, she said.
“I’m reminded on a daily basis on how important it is to wear your vest when I come home to my wife and kids,” Roberts wrote. “My wife tells me she loves nothing more than waking up to the sound of Velcro at night when I come in from work, because she knows I made it home safe for the night.
“Now I have added another addition to this family when I took on the responsibility of being a K9 officer. My family doesn’t only have to worry about me now, but also Bommel. He is a huge part to our life and a huge part of the citizens of Mt. Sterling’s life.
“I have sent Bom on a number of building searches and tracks that I worry for his safety that if someone had a gun his life would be over. I feel like I need to take every step possible to make sure he is as protected as I am if not more.
“...To say I would be honored to receive this vest on Bom’s behalf is an understatement, because he is my partner and he has my back on a daily basis. I need to make sure I do everything I can to make sure he is protected when doing so, because one day my life or even his will depend on it. I believe every K9 on the road should have the ability to have a vest for his or her safety.”
With the awarded funding, both K9 Bommel and K9 Simba, handled by Officer Ty Combs of the dept., will now have protective vests.
For more information about The Lovis Foundation, go to www.lovisfoundation.org.
For more information about K9 Storm Inc., go to k9storm.ca.
|
|
|
|
|