News Flash Home
The original item was published from 12/8/2022 3:58:00 PM to 12/16/2022 12:00:05 AM.

News Flash

Police Department Press Releases

Posted on: December 8, 2022

[ARCHIVED] Help Keep K9 Drago in Kevlar

FBPD Media Release

December 8

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Kendra Cook | Founder, K9 Handler Assistant

Keeping K-9s in Kevlar

Phone: (360) 920-9638

KeepingK9sinKevlar@gmail.com


Lt. Edward Hartwick

Fitchburg Police Dept.

5520 Lacy Road, 

Fitchburg, WI 53711

Dispatch: 608-270-4300

Office: (608)270-4362

Edward.Hartwick@fitchburgwi.gov



    

 

A PRESS RELEASE FROM KEEPING K-9’s IN KEVLAR, 

SHARED BY THE FITCHBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT


K9  DRAGO FROM FITCHBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT  SEEKS COMMUNITY HEROES!

The Fitchburg Police Department and Non-Profit Keeping K-9s in Kevlar hope to fund a bullet-resistant vest for K9 Drago.


Fitchburg, WI:  For many law enforcement departments, bullet-resistant vests for K-9s are not in the budget. Instead, departments rely on nonprofit assistance to acquire the protective gear.  Non-profit Keeping K-9s in Kevlar accepted the responsibility to bring the community together and help fund Fitchburg Police Department’s K9 Drago for a (bullet resistant) Kevlar vest involving community assistance with their donations.  The non-profit seeks community heroes to assist in funding K9 Drago’s vest.  The vest costs $2,600.  The campaign begins December 9th, 2022, though donations are accepted early!


Nonprofits are the way most departments receive K-9 Kevlar vests:   K9 Drago’s workday includes, but is not limited to, pursuing the most violent offenders,  taking narcotics off the streets, article search, area search, and building search.  The Kevlar vests in need of funding will protect against stabbing, shrapnel, and bullets shot from common handguns. 


Fundraising is continuous to ensure a Kevlar vest is purchased for K9 Drago as his current vest has expired.  The new vest to be funded will assist in protecting him throughout the rest of his career. The Fitchburg Police Department wants to recognize K9 Drago's first five years of service and send their gratitude for the support received from the community.


To Donate:  Keeping K-9s in Kevlar raises community funds through PAYPAL or https://bit.ly/3GJa8We. K9 Drago  will receive 100% of donations to fund his vest. The community will be informed of fundraising total updates on Keeping K-9s in Kevlar’s Facebook page.  If donations exceed the  total of a Kevlar vest( after the campaign ends) funds will roll over to the next K9 in need of assistance.  Recently, Madison Police Department and Verona Police Department benefited from donations to fund Kevlar vests for their K9s!


Checks can be sent to:

Keeping K-9s in Kevlar 

3901 Airport Way

Bellingham, WA 98226

Facebook:      Keeping K-9s in Kevlar or https://www.facebook.com/KeepingK9sinKevlar

Twitter:      Keeping K-9s in Kevlar or https://twitter.com/K9sinkevlar

Instagram:      Keeping K-9s in Kevlar or https://www.instagram.com/keepingk9sinkevlar/


About Keeping K-9s in Kevlar:


Keeping K-9s in Kevlar, founded in 2015, raises community funds to purchase K9 Storm Patrol SWAT Kevlar vests at no cost to the department or handler. Each vest is embroidered honoring a Fallen Officer nominated by the K9’s handler Keeping K-9s in Kevlar is a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) under the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Support Foundation.  No one is paid, 100% of funds go to K9 needs.  All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.  Thank you for your support.


FROM THE FITCHBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT

“We are thrilled to be working with our friends at Keeping K-9s in Kevlar to support a new vest for K9 Drago. Five years ago, we were overwhelmed by community support to help bring K9 Drago to our team and we are extremely appreciative for the support we continue to receive from his “pack”. 


This fundraising effort from Keeping K-9’s in Kevlar is wonderfully timed between Drago’s eighth birthday yesterday (12/7) and the holiday season to provide the gift of continued safety for Drago.  K9 Drago looks forward to continuing to serve our community and the greater Dane County area in his new vest.” - Fitchburg Police Lieutenant Edward Hartwick



FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT K9 DRAGO AND ADDITIONAL PHOTOS VISIT: bit.ly/fbpdk9team


#######



Drago Squad


Officer Parker and Drago

Drago Groundhog Day



Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in Police Department Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE (2)

Residential Search Warrant and Arrest

Posted on: February 17, 2026
PRESS RELEASE (2)

6th Offense OWI/Disturbance Arrest

Posted on: January 20, 2026
2024 Incident Report

Fitchburg Homicide

Posted on: December 24, 2025 | Last Modified on: December 24, 2025
2024 Incident Report

Fitchburg Police Department Squad Crash

Posted on: November 14, 2025
incident report 2023 update

Update - Fatal Crash Investigation

Posted on: November 13, 2025
2024 Incident Report

Serious Crash Investigation

Posted on: November 13, 2025
incident report 2023 update

Fatal Crash Update

Posted on: August 12, 2025
2024 Incident Report

Fatal Crash Investigation

Posted on: August 8, 2025
2024 Incident Report

Fatal Crash Investigation

Posted on: June 26, 2025
2024 Incident Report

Driver Arrested for 7th Offense OWI

Posted on: June 12, 2025
incident report 2023 update

Update: McKee Road Stabbing (Homicide)

Posted on: May 6, 2025 | Last Modified on: May 6, 2025
2024 Incident Report

McKee Road Stabbing

Posted on: May 6, 2025 | Last Modified on: May 6, 2025