Norfolk, Va. – After the tragic death of K9 Officer Krijger earlier this month, the Norfolk Police Department is taking steps to protect K9s in the future and has now reached out to help another city in Hampton Roads.
Anderson Cooper and Spike’s K9 Fund collaborated to donate ballistic vests to the department.
Police are using funds remaining from Cooper’s donation and funds raised during an event last Thursday.
The Newport News Police Department will be receiving six ballistic vests for their canines, which is their entire unit.
38 K9 units in Hampton Roads will be getting vests through the campaign. Cooper donated his speaking fee from an upcoming lecture on Tuesday at Chrysler Hall. That amount covered three quarters of that number.
All of the Norfolk, Newport News and Portsmouth K9 units will be covered. Suffolk will get one vest, Chesapeake will get four and Virginia Beach will also get a few.
Officer Krijger was killed after he was shot during a domestic disturbance call in Norfolk.
Police say Keith Richardson shot Krijger. Richardson barricaded himself inside of the home and after hours of negotiation, he exited armed with the gun.
After several warnings, police say Richardson opened fire and shot Krijger. Richardson was then shot. He later died from his wounds.
Krijger spent three years with the Norfolk Police Department.
Police held a private memorial service for him on Tuesday, January 19th at the Norfolk Police K9 Range at 2 p.m. He was given full honors by the Norfolk Police Honor Guard and was laid to rest at the Garden of the Pines Pet Cemetery in Virginia Beach.
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