Pocono News Section

K-9 Gets New Bulletproof Vest

K-9 Gets New Bulletproof Vest - Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 3:41PM EST

Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008 @ 03:41pm EST
SWOYERSVILLE, LUZERNE COUNTY- A Luzerne County K-9 officer is a bit safer thanks to a woman who knows all too well the dangers officers face.

Swoyersville's newest officer, a German Shepard named "Gas," has been on patrol for about 3 months.

But he has a new bullet proof vest effective this week. Sandy Kuhar donated the vest. Her brother, Florida Deputy Sheriff Mike Metroka, was killed in the line of duty. A convicted felon struck Metroka's car in 1997 causing fatal injuries.

Metroka's K-9 partner was there that day and went after the felon. "He found his way out of the car chased him away but then turned around a few times realized his duty was to protect his partner. He came back to the car sat with him until help arrived," said Kuhar.

The vest cost $550 and it's a welcome addition. Many local police departments facing tight budgets simply can't afford to spend the money on K-9 vests.