The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office received a new bulletproof vest for K9 Odin on Tuesday during a presentation at the Sheriff’s Office. The Retired Law Enforcement Officers Association of Southwest Florida provided the vest to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office at no cost to the agency. K9 Odin is the 10th patrol dog at the Sheriff’s Office to receive a vest from their association.
Ray Hubbert, President of the Retired Law Enforcement Association of Southwest Florida, spoke at the presentation and thanked the donors who help them make the vesting program possible. “We believe the development and safety of Police Canines is essential to the Law Enforcement Profession,” stated President Hubbert.
The canine vest program started in 2009 with K9 Jedi at the Punta Gorda Police Department. K9 Odin marks the 60th police canine in Southwest Florida to be vested completely through community donations.
K9 Odin will now be safer while patrolling the streets. “Police canines don’t just detect drugs and apprehend criminals; they save officer’s lives,” Sheriff Bill Prummell said. “We are grateful for the Retired Law Enforcement Association of Southwest Florida and their donors for helping us to protect K9 Odin as he serves our community.”
K9 Odin and his handler, Deputy Talbot, certified as a canine team in May of 2017.
Information on donating to the K9 Vest Program is available at www.retiredlefla.com/k9-charity.
Thank you all for your service.