(NEWS CENTER Maine) -- A nonprofit group is raising money to buy a bulletproof vest for a K9 officer with the Somerset County Sheriff's Office after one of the department's deputies was shot and killed in late April.
Maine K9 Vests is asking the community to help fund a bulletproof vest for Kojo, who works with Detective David Cole, the son of Corporal Eugene Cole, who State Police say was shot and killed on April 25.
Somerset County Chief Deputy James Ross confirmed that the organization reached out to them about the fundraiser.
Wayne Robichaud works with the organization, and said they have vested seven other dogs.
Robichaud said each vests costs about $900. They are raising money through donation cans in local stores, as well as a GoFundMe page.
He said the group was in the process of raising money for a Portland Police K9, but after the shooting of Corporal Cole, Robichaud said he spoke with the Portland officer, and they agreed that K9 Kojo could get his vest first.
You can reach Robichaud directly here: www.mainek9vests@gmail.com
