Coaching Legend Barry Switzer Donates Vests To K9 Units

In a special ceremony, Barry and Becky Switzer gave two members of law enforcement another lifeline.

They donated ballistic vests to K9 officers at the memorial for Oklahoma City Police K9 officer, Kye, who died in the line of duty.

“If Kye would’ve had a vest on, perhaps he would still be with us today,” Becky said.

“A knife isn’t going through the vests they wear. Just like a police officer, he protects himself. Well, the dog needs to be protected. The dog makes first contact with the criminal,” Barry added.

Nicoma Park police officer Doyle Baker and his German Shepherd, Lex, got a vest Friday. They met four months ago and went through training together.

“We’ve been on the streets ever since,” he said.

Lex can sniff out narcotics, help with searches and apprehension. His work is funded by neighbors in Nicoma Park. The city's entire K9 program is paid for with community donations.

“We really need to protect those dogs and our investment,” Becky said.

The tactical ballistic vests are about a thousand dollars apiece. So Friday's donation wrapped welcomed protection around everything the community had already done to create their valuable program.

“This is something that could potentially save the life of my partner. It’s kind of unexplainable how much it means,” Doyle said.

Harrah police officer Jon Williams and his partner, Blecky, also received a ballistic vest at Friday's ceremony from Switzer’s Heartland Rescue Canine Foundation.