TAPPAHANNOCK POLICE K-9 TO RECEIVE DONATION OF BODY ARMOR

Tappahannock Police Department's K9 Drego will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Drego's vest is sponsored by Kathy Grogan-Farmer of Manakin-Sabot, Virginia and will be embroidered with the sentiment "Born to Love - Trained to serve - Loyal Always". Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.

 

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity located in East Taunton, MA 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. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 3,300 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $5.7 million dollars.

 

The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.

 

The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $950.00. Each vest has a value between $1,744 – $2,283 and a five-year warranty, and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. 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 tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.

TAPPAHANNOCK POLICE CAPTAIN AND K-9 COMPLETE TRAINING

On December 6, 2018 Captain C.F. Davis, Jr. and K-9 "Drego" graduated from the Virginia Department of Corrections Canine School.  The twelve-week course certifies both dog and handler in Passive Narcotic Detection.   Drego joined the department after serving in Richmond County but could not be utilized until both were certified.    "I am very proud of both Captain Davis and Drego for completing this training", said Chief Ashworth.  "I also want to thank Sheriff Steve Smith of Richmond County for donating not only Drego but a police vehicle that was already equipped for canine use", Ashworth added.

 

Captain Davis and Drego will be utilized in the detection of drugs in the Town of Tappahannock and surrounding areas. 

TAPPAHANNOCK POLICE HOLD SHOP WITH A COP EVENT

On December 5, the police department and Walmart of held the very first Shop with a Cop event in Tappahannock.  The program is aimed to help children of Tappahannock and Essex have a wonderful Christmas.  Over 20 area law enforcement officers were on hand to assist children of all ages in buying clothes, toys, and other gifts for either themselves or a family member.  "This is a program that we have wanted to do for a while and we all as a department were extremely excited", said Chief James G. Ashworth, Chief of Police.  "We wanted to help these kids have a wonderful Christmas and I think that the smiles that I saw on not only the faces of the children, but the officers made this a successful night", Ashworth added.  Chief Ashworth also noted that Officer T.B. Johnson and Officer Manager Amanda Marks were instrumental in putting this project together.  "They took the initiative and did a fantastic job.", said Chief Ashworth.

 

The police department would like to thank Jenny Pope, store manager of Walmart for her and her employees great support of this program.  We would also like to thank the Essex County Sheriff's Office, Virginia State Police, Essex County Department of Social Services, Essex County Public Schools, and the many other volunteers who came out and helped with this program.