The Duncan Banner

Local News

August 16, 2010

Couple donate kevlar vests

David Laughlin The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — Two four-legged officers for the Duncan Police Department will soon be strutting their stuff with some new, protective gear courtesy of the efforts of Jan and Jon Edwards.

Bojar and Valco are DPD’s K-9 units. Before the contributions of the Edwards’ the duo had no more protection then what they were endowed by nature with. Jan Edwards said she and her husband, Jon, wanted to do something to honor the death of their son, Jeff Edwards.

“The day he died, two officers came and told us what happened,” she said. “They were very compassionate and professional.”

Jeff Edwards graduated from Duncan High School in 1998. He was a life-long member of the All Saint’s Episcopal Church in Duncan. Jeff Edwards’ died Dec. 21, 2008. Jan Edwards said her son had always wanted to be a police officer.

Within weeks of his death, Jan said she was reading The Duncan Banner and she saw an advertisement about kevlar vests for canines.

“When we saw that, I thought that would be a great thing in honor of him,” she said. “We thought it was very fitting.”

Officer Cory Morris, Valco’s handler, was as appreciative as Valco for the new equipment.

“Usually, the stuff we want and the stuff we get is different,” he said. “I promise it’s going to go to good use.”

Jan Edwards said friends, families, and church members contributed to the funds.

Officer Mike Wilson said his partner, Bojar, is a narcotics dog. “We got him in September, I got him in April,” he said.

Valco is four years-old. He is a multi-purpose dog. Valco resembles a small lion with his summer cut.

“I trimmed him up for summer,” Morris said. “He looks like a big grizzly bear when his hair isn’t trimmed.”

Morris said the kevlar vest are multi-functional for the dog. The vests are resistant to bullets and knives.

“They are better than what we have,” Morris joked.

“I don’t anticipate ever sending him in someplace by himself,” he said.

“But, if I ever do, it gives the dogs a better chance for survival. When you ride eight hours a day with a dog, you grow a bond. Like with any other partner, you have good days and bad days.”

Both the officers were very appreciative of the generous donations.

“It’s a blessing to our dogs, we couldn’t have gotten them without you all,” Wilson said told the Edwards’ family.



— David Laughlin is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 144, or via e-mail at david.laughlin@duncanbanner.com.

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