Anderson Cooper & Jimmy Hatch
Earlier this month, The Norfolk Police Department lost one of their own.
K-9 Krijger was killed on January 11, 2016 during a standoff by a man who barricaded himself in his home.
A few days after, CNN Anchor Anderson Cooper donated enough money to a local charity in Krijer's name, to get a bulletproof vests for the entire K-9 unit serving in the Norfolk Police Department with enough to go to other Hampton Roads based K-9 units as well.
The K-9 ballistic vests are similar to those used by military working dogs. They are bulletproof, stab proof and cost about $2,200 each.
The local charity Anderson Cooper donated to was started by Jimmy Hatch, a former military dog handler and retired Navy Seal. Cooper met Hatch last year when he interviewed him about the night he was wounded on a rescue mission in Afghanistan.
Unfortunately, Hatch knows what it's like to lose a dog while serving on the line of duty. He started Spike's K9 Fund after experiencing the loss of a couple dogs that saved his life. He named his charity after the first dog he guided into combat.
Hatch continues to volunteer with the police department and helps by offering tips he learned while handling dogs in combat zones.
This particular story has made an impact on the community and we are happy to see these dogs will be better protected as they put their lives on the line to protect us.