JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Two K-9s from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office are now better protected while serving their community, the WCSO announced in a social media post on Friday.

K-9 Murphy and K-9 Cain now wear custom-designed Threat Level 2 ballistic vests. The Krijger Ballistic Vest is designed to protect against various handgun rounds and bladed weapons. The vest is named in memory of K-9 Krijger, who was tragically shot and killed in Virginia in 2016. Every vest donated has Krijger’s service number embroidered inside (K-148).

The safety enhancements were made possible by donations, for which the WCSO expressed gratitude, and Spike’s K9 Fund.

Spike’s K9 Fund was established by James Hatch, a retired Naval Special Warfare Development Group member who was “regularly spared by the work of K-9s.” The fund is named after his first working K-9, Spike, who was killed in action. In 2009, Hatch was rescued by a K-9 named Remco, who lost his life while saving Hatch after he was wounded.

Those interested can donate to the K9 Krijger Ballistic Vest Campaign here, or to Spike’s K9 Fund here.