Southaven Police K-9s to receive protective body armor
SOUTHAVEN, Miss. — The Southaven Police Department’s K-9 unit will soon have an added layer of protection while honoring a fallen comrade, thanks to a national non-profit organization.
K-9s Raptor and Zargo are set to receive bullet and stab-protective vests from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Both vests are custom-fitted, U.S.-made, and National Institute of Justice (NIJ) certified. Delivery of the equipment is expected within the next ten weeks.
In a moving tribute to a local hero, each vest will be embroidered with the sentiment: “In memory of K9 Luca, DeSoto County, MS – EOW 2/21/24.”
The Legacy of K-9 Luca
K-9 Luca was a highly decorated 11-year-old Dutch Shepherd with the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department who was killed in the line of duty on Feb. 21, 2024. Luca was shot and killed while attempting to apprehend a suspect following a vehicle pursuit on Highway 61 in Lake Cormorant.
Before his service in Mississippi, Luca had a distinguished military career:
- Military Service: Served five years with the Army 7th Special Forces Group as a Multi-Purpose Canine.
- Combat Record: Deployed to Afghanistan, where he participated in over 50 combat missions and discovered 15 improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
- National Honors: In March 2025, Luca was posthumously awarded the Animals in War & Peace Medal of Bravery in Washington, D.C., for his extraordinary sacrifice and service.
Supporting Law Enforcement K-9s
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to providing lifesaving body armor to law enforcement dogs across the United States. Since its inception, the organization has provided over 6,225 vests valued at $6.9 million to K-9s in all 50 states.
The protective vests are designed for both safety and mobility, weighing an average of 4–5 pounds with a value of $1,800 per vest. The program is open to U.S. dogs at least 20 months old that are actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies.
How to Help
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. relies on private and corporate donations to fund its mission. A single donation of $1,050 will sponsor one vest for a K-9 officer. Tax-deductible contributions can be made online at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.
For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, the public may call (508) 824-6978.
