Linn County K-9 officer ‘Bingo’ to receive protective vest

CEDAR RAPIDS - A Linn County K-9 officer is the recipient of a new protective vest.

According to the Linn County Sheriff's Office, K-9 officer Bingo was given a bullet and stab protective vest by Vested Interest in K9s Inc., a nonprofit organization. The vest was sponsored through a fundraiser hosted by the Alaska K-9 Center and will have the message, 'In memory of K-9 Helo, Alaska State Trooper,” embroidered on it.

Massachusetts-based Vested Interest in K9s strives to provide protective vests to K-9 officers throughout the United States. Since its inception in 2009, the organization has provided more than 2,600 protective vests to dogs around the country, made possible through private and corporate donations.

Bingo, who is partnered with Deputy Derek Steines, is expected to receive his vest in eight to 10 weeks.

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