"Keeping us safe:" Run with Glendale police to secure donations

Run with Glendale police to secure donations for K-9 vests

GLENDALE (WITI) -- For years, Eric Guse and Boomer have been partners on the Glendale Police Department.

"He spends every shift with me unless he`s sick so I spend a lot of time with him. He`s a part of my family, he`s my partner," said Officer Guse.

The two can find themselves in dangerous situations as Boomer is specially trained to find narcotics and locate missing suspects.

"There are fines, there`s prison time if you hurt police animals. He`s just as important as we are," said Officer Guse.

That's why it's critical for Boomer to have safety gear just like a human police officer.

"It slides over his head and it covers his middle section and his back, which is his spinal cord and his vital organs just like a human vest does," said Officer Guse.

One vest for boomer can cost around $750 and the Glendale Police Department just lost a large portion of its funding from the federal government that paid for all of its bullet-proof vests.

But with the help of the Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin, a 5K run and 2-mile walk is taking place this weekend to help the Glendale PD.

"It`s just really another way of keeping them safe as we want them to go back to their families, but keeping us safe also so that they`re able to do their job," said Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin CEO Brian Cramer.

The money will also be used to fund day-to-day vests and heavy tactical vests for the department, which can range in price from $700 to $1,500.

"A rifle round will burn through this no problem, this will definitely slow it down if not stop it," said Officer Guse.

By attending this event, you can help protect the priceless lives that work everyday to protect us.

Interested in taking part in the run or walk on Saturday, May 17th? Both events will be chip timed and start at 9 a.m. and proceed through Kletzsch Park.

There will be age group-based awarded handed out -- and there's also a post-race silent auction. Again, all of this is being done to raise money for the Glendale Police Department. CLICK HERE for much more information.