OKC Police Department's K9 Officers Receive Ballistic Vests

The Oklahoma City Police Department announced Thursday morning that all nine of the department's K9 officers have receive ballistic vests.

K9 Kayne, the partner of Staff Sergeant Ryan Stark, is the most recent recipient of a new vest.

2/6/2015 Related Story: Bullet And Stab Protective Vest Awarded To SSgt. Ryan Stark's New K9

According to police, the purchase of the vests was made possible through generous donations and multiple fundraising events by Vested Interest in K9's (VIK9s) Inc. VIK9s is a 501c(3) non-profit organization with a mission to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States.

Tim Beachy, owner of A Breed Apart Clothing, in Perryopoolis, PA, hosted an on-line t-shirt fundraiser and raised over $4,700, all of which was donated to VIK9s.

Tayte Stark, the five year-old daughter of Staff Sergeant Stark, worked diligently through an on-line fundraiser of her own and raised over $7,000, which was also donated towards vesting OCPD K9s, according to police.

Police said citizens Diane Shrader personally donated $1000 and 5-year-old Duke Berchtold raised funds by selling lemonade in his lemonade stand.

In order to honor the great sacrifice of K9 Kye, the OCPD K9 Unit supports VIK9s continuing efforts May 11 through the 25th 2015 with their Groupon Grassroots Campaign. This fundraising event will raise money to vest law enforcement dogs all across the country. Each of the vests donated will be monogrammed "In Memory of K9 Kye of the Oklahoma City Police Department."