Mokena's K9 Cop Kong Receives Donated Ballistic Vest

MOKENA, IL — Mokena's K9 cop Kong just got a little safer on the job, with a ballistic vest donated by a nonprofit.

The vest was donated by Indiana-based Protecting K-9 Heroes, a nonprofit aimed at reducing K9 line of duty deaths to 0% annually, according to its website.

"We are deeply grateful to Protecting K-9 Heroes for generously donating a ballistic vest to our K-9 partner, K-9 Kong," the Mokena Police Department shared on social media. "Their support helps ensure that Kong — and all K-9s working alongside law enforcement — have the protective gear they need to stay safe while serving our community."

Protecting K-9 Heroes is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to "protect the four-legged heroes that protect us." They provide ballistic patrol vests, emergency Narcan kits, and life-saving medical trauma kits to working K-9s across the country.

Its start dates back to 2015, after K9 Kye of the Oklahoma City Police Department was killed in the line of duty by a knife wielding burglary suspect fleeing from apprehension. Founder Stacy Goveia began a personal campaign to provide ballistic protection vests to K9 officers. The line of duty death of K9 Jethro of the Canton, Ohio Police Department in 2016 motivated Goveia further, and in 2017, that volunteer role was expanded into the formal organization to both perpetuate and expand the important cause.

To date, 1,500 vests and 4,900 kits have been donated.

"Because of organizations like Protecting K-9 Heroes — and generous donations from people, businesses, and departments — working K-9s like Kong can continue to serve, with a better chance of going home safe after every shift," the department said.

If you’d like to support this mission further, you can donate to Protecting K-9 Heroes directly via their website https://protectingk9heroes.com/support-a-k9/, you can sponsor a vest, medical/trauma kit, or Narcan kit for a working dog in need.