Did you know that protective vests for police canines are not routinely assigned to them? Although including dogs in law enforcement and military roles is quite standard, supplying these animals with life-saving gear is surprisingly not included in most departments’ standard budget.
In 2022, 25 K9 officers lost their lives while on duty in the United States, with 11 of those incidents directly resulting from gunfire. K9s frequently serve as crucial components in numerous perilous police operations, and they unquestionably warrant the same protective measures as their human counterparts.
Gabo, a K9 officer from Jonesboro, will demonstrate precisely why this issue is not just significant but fundamentally essential.
K-9 Officer ‘Gabo’ And His Heroic Tale
“Shots fired at the Gladiolus Apartments. All available units please respond,” resonated the dispatcher’s voice through the radio. Officer Erik Johnson from the Jonesboro Arkansas Police Department realized he needed to react; however, it was not a straightforward choice.
This implied that his closest companion and K9 partner would also have to participate. The scenario was exceedingly perilous, yet Gabo was the most courageous and devoted dog who would not hesitate to fulfill his role. At that moment, he was also the sole participant wearing a bulletproof vest.
“I apologized to him for what was about to occur. I expressed my love for him,” Erik reminisced, fighting back tears.
Gabo was the kind of dog that thrived on going to work and being with his handler… his most cherished person in the universe, so when officer Erik came to retrieve him, he was simply elated.
“He gazed at me with his affectionate look, wagged his tail, and licked my face. He had no clue about the events that were about to unfold.”
The individual who had shot the maintenance worker had fortified herself inside her apartment. After several hours of negotiation without success, the circumstances became increasingly threatening. The only remedy was to employ a K9. It was time for Gabo.
“I knew deep down what was about to transpire,” Erik stated in the video.
Upon entering the apartment, Erik commanded Gabo to search. Fearless Gabo confronted the woman.
“That’s when I heard the first shot… Gabo began whining and yelping! I called for him to return. But, then… he charged toward her! And, that’s when the unimaginable occurred…”
Regrettably, Gabo was shot five times.
Five Terrible Shots Later
Despite sustaining severe injuries, this brave dog did not stop fighting. His handler had to pull him away from the assailant and rush him to the hospital.
Four bullets traveled completely through him, and the fifth one – which could have been fatal – did not penetrate his cherished body.
“Gabo’s vest saved his life. It halted a bullet that would have pierced Gabo’s heart and lungs if he had not been wearing it.”
While Gabo was in the hospital, Erik stayed by his side. “I just laid there on the floor next to him for hours. Hours.”
No one anticipated that Gabo would pull through, but he made a remarkable recovery, returning to active duty. If it weren’t for the vest that was gifted to him, he would not have survived, that’s for sure.
Moreover, without Sandy Marcal and the Vested Interest in K9s organization, Gabo would have never received his life-preserving vest.
Vested Interest In K9s
Vested Interest in K9s is the largest nonprofit organization donating customized vests that are bullet-resistant and stab-proof. Since its inception in 2009, the organization has allocated over 4,970 K9 ballistic vests, thus safeguarding countless canine lives, including Gabo’s.
Their mission? To equip every K-9 in the United States.
“These vests are quite costly and challenging for most departments to finance. Therefore, receiving them as donations significantly impacts their safety”, Erik remarked.
Gabo and Johnson were honored with the 2019 Officer of the Year award, and Gabo was also presented with a Medal of Valor for his valorous service.
Sadly, after serving for seven years with the Jonesboro (Arkansas) Police Department, Gabo passed away in 2020.
“Gabo was my best friend, my family, my partner!” expressed Erik.