El Paso County Sheriff’s Office K9 Mako recently acquired some new gear.
Last week, Ms. Felicia Donaldson, proprietor of “Barkmoor Bakery,” located in Colorado Springs, partnered with “Vested Interest in K9’s, Inc..”, a 501(c)(3) charity, to provide K9 Mako with a bullet and stab-resistant protective vest.
Dual-purpose K9s, such as Mako, are highly versatile and trained to perform both detection and patrol/protection roles. This means they are skilled in locating narcotics, explosives, or other contraband (in the jail or on the streets) and equipped for patrol duties such as suspect tracking, handler protection, building searches, and apprehension.
The vest honors fallen El Paso County Sheriff’s Office K9 Jinx and is embroidered “In memory of Jinx – Trusted K9 Protector.” K9 Jinx was killed on April 11, 2022, during a deadly encounter with a suspect who had previously threatened a barkeeper with a handgun. As deputies and other law enforcement officers approached to take the suspect into custody, the suspect shot and killed Jinx.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Felicia, the ‘Barkmoor Bakery,’ and the fine people at ‘Vested Interest in K9‘s Inc.,’ for their efforts and generous donation,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “Our K9 team members are highly trained manpower multipliers, and extremely valuable to us as we serve our community and citizens. They’re also members of our Sheriff’s Office family, and we care deeply about their safety and well-being.”
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office accepts donations directly at 27 E. Vermijo Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903, online at SHRCommunity@elpasoco.com, or via telephone at 719-520-6196.