One more Sumter County Sheriff’s Office deputy can feel a little safer while on duty, thanks to a generous donation from Paws For Friendship.

The non-profit organization that works to provide visits from therapy pets to schools and nursing homes around the globe assisted the sheriff’s office by presenting a form-fitting bullet-proof vest to Halo, a member of the sheriff’s office K-9 unit, on Thursday.

Halo and his partner, Cpl. Cameron Prescott, received the vest from Dennis Sides, a Sumter resident and one of the non-profit organization’s South Carolina Chapter coordinators.

“We are extremely grateful for the donation of the bullet-proof vest for Halo,” said Capt. Terrance Colclough of the patrol division. “Our K-9 units are a valuable asset to our department, and can often find themselves in dangerous situations.  With this new vest, we can now feel a little safer for Halo as he performs his duties.”

The sheriff’s office currently has five K-9 units on staff, making it possible to always have at least one of these specialized units on duty at any time.

For more information on Paws For Friendship, visit their website at www.pawsforfriendshipinc.org