Student raises money for PU K9 vest

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Nicky is the furriest member of the Purdue Police Department, but he needs more than his coat to keep him safe when he's on duty. Harrison High School junior Kaylee Johnson raised money to buy Nicky a bullet proof vest. Nicky's handler Officer Andy Standifer says he's relieved to have his partner protected.

"She went above and beyond normal people to protect someone I dearly care about. He's with me every single day both here at work and at home," said Nicky's handler Officer Andy Standiford.

"I know Nicky is apart of his family and for him to think every time they go out there to think that Nicky could be in danger and he could lose him that day is kind of sad," said Kaylee Johnson.

Just like any of Purdue's officers, Nicky puts his life on the line while on duty.

"I situations I knew shoots are fired or a situation where he could possibly be shot to save my life or another fellow officers or somebody in our community it greatly reduces his chance of getting killed," said Standiford.

Kaylee raised $3,100, $600 more than her goal, with a yard sale last October.

"I didn't think I'd get it all in one day," said Johnson. "I thought it would take a little longer. It was really nice to see everyone from the community come out."

Some of the extra money went to create educational coloring books for students who learn about Nicky, a Dutch Shepard dog trained in narcotics detection and tracking fleeing suspects. The rest of the cash will be distributed to area shelters.