MURPHYSBORO - Just because Major and Hoyce patrol in backseat kennels and are rewarded with tennis balls for a job well done doesn't mean they aren't police officers.

Now they will be protected in the same way as their human counterparts.

The Jackson County Sheriff's Department's two black Labrador retrievers are considered sworn, full-time officers. Both dogs are tracking and drug detection dogs. Sheriff Robert Burns was quick to say Friday they have "paid for themselves time and time again."

Friday, the two were outfitted with bullet-and stab- resistant vests provided by Illinois Vest-a-Dog, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to protecting law enforcement canines.

Major was more or less patient during his fitting, though he couldn't refrain from trying it out by cavorting and rolling in it. Hoyce was a little less thrilled, but patiently sat through two fittings after the first vest didn't fit him properly.

"I'll have a little peace of mind when confronting a suspect who might do the dog harm," K-9 Officer Ken Taylor said.

"I'm really excited that we have these," said K-9 Officer Shauna Taylor. "My dog's safety is always in the back of my mind."

Lee Harrison is the director of Illinois Vest-a-Dog. She said she read about a police dog needing a vest and decided to help as something constructive to do in retirement. The whim turned into a full-time second career for her and her husband, Xavier Harrison.

"There is no foolproof way to put this on, so the first time is pretty entertaining," she told the K9 officers as she helped fit the vests to the dogs. "You want to make sure you train with them to do this quickly."

The vests are made by International Armor and cost about $825 apiece. Harrison and her group take requests from law enforcement agencies for vests, and they spearhead fundraising efforts.

Lt. Michael Teas said he learned about the program from the Illinois Sheriff's Association. Like the sheriff, he is happy with the K9 units, and he wants to protect both the department's investment and two of its most enthusiastic officers.

"There have been times when they have confronted suspects," he said. "This will give the officers more confidence about situations they put the dog into. We are quite restrictive, though. These aren't bite dogs."

The dogs joined the department last summer. They have each been in on about a dozen drug alerts. Major, the older of the two, has helped locate five people and Hoyce at least two. Recently, the dogs tracked the suspect in an armed robbery at a Carbondale gas station. One dog found the suspect and the other found the suspect's apparently discarded gun.

Harrison said there are several fundraising campaigns available for civic or youth service groups that want to vest a police dog, including an ink cartridge recycling program.

For more information, log on to www.ivestadog.org or call (708) 250-3311. To schedule a search dog demonstration with Major or Hoyce, call the Jackson County Sheriff's Department at (618) 684-4215.

andrea.hahn@thesouthern.com

(618) 529-5454 ext. 15076