VADOC K-9 receives bullet, stab-protective vest in honor of K-9 stabbed to death in 2024

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) K-9 received a bullet and stab-protective vest in honor of a K-9 stabbed to death protecting his handler in early 2024.

In a March 13 press release, VADOC announced that K-9 Elly received a donation of body armor due to a donation from a nonprofit organization, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide body armor to law enforcement and related agencies across the country, including VADOC.

The vest is embroidered with the sentiment, “In memory of K9 Rivan, Virginia DOC, EOW 4-2-24.”

The donation was made in honor of K-9 Rivan, who worked with corrections officer Kharmishia Phillip-Fields. Rivan was stabbed to death protecting his handler at the Sussex I State Prison in early 2024.

Eight VADOC K-9s were donated body armor in December 2024, and an additional five new bullet and stab-protective dog vests were donated in February 2026, valued at $1,800 each, per VADOC.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., has supplied over 6,348 vests valued at $6.9 million to K-9s in all 50 states, through both private and corporate donations.

The program is reportedly open to U.S. dogs at least 20 months old who are actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies.

For any more information on the program, including donations, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, visit the nonprofit's website.