Patch suits up: Martins Ferry K-9 gets bulletproof vest
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MARTINS FERRY -- Every day Martins Ferry Patrolman Chad Nixon clips a leash onto his K-9 partner, climbs into the cruiser and heads out knowing they depend on one another.
Now, one of the department’s most valuable officers has an added layer of protection.
Martins Ferry Police Department K-9 Patch recently received his first ballistic- and stab-resistant vest, a donation made possible through the nonprofit Vested Interest in K9s Inc., fundraising efforts by Warthogs Motorcycle Club Chapter 41 of Bellaire and community supporters.
Embroidered across the front of the vest are the words, “In memory of SWAT Officer Don Breeze Buff,” ensuring the late officer’s legacy continues every time Patch goes to work.
For Nixon, the vest represents far more than another piece of equipment.
“I’ve worked in law enforcement for years, but being half of a K-9 unit is a different breed. It’s a different animal, literally and figuratively,” Nixon said. “Honestly, I love it. It’s been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. We’ve got each other’s backs.
“I have no doubt that he is going to save my life one day.”
Patch, a half-German Shepherd and half-Belgian Malinois, has served alongside Nixon for four years. Having recently turned 5 years old, Nixon said police work is all the dog has ever known.
“He loves it,” Nixon said.
His new vest, however, is different story,
“That, he doesn’t like,” Nixon said with a laugh. “But he’ll get used to it. He’s a smart dog, and it won’t take him long to realize it’s part of the uniform and part of the job, and he now has a job to do.”
While the vest weighs several pounds, it could one day prove lifesaving during a dangerous call. Support for Patch's new protection came from a wide network of community donors and law enforcement supporters.
West thanked everyone involved in the fundraising efforts to secure a ballistic- and stab-resistant vest for Patch, including Shayna Parsons, Warthogs Chapter 41 Bellaire MC, retired Patrolman Tim Starkey and chapter members, as well as Vested Interest in K9s for manufacturing and contributing to the vest's cost.
According to Vested Interest in K9s Inc., the nonprofit has provided more than 6,300 protective vests to law enforcement dogs nationwide since its founding in 2009. The custom-fitted, National Institute of Justice-certified body armor is designed to protect police dogs during dangerous situations and is funded entirely through charitable donations.
For Nixon, however, the vest’s value isn’t measured in dollars.
It’s measured in the hope that if the unthinkable ever happens, the partner who never leaves his side has every possible chance of coming home. Nixon said the added protection offers peace of mind.
“He needs it,” Nixon said. “He needs it as much as I do.”
The partnership between handler and K-9 extends far beyond an eight-hour shift. Nixon said the pair are together around the clock and remain on call to assist other law enforcement agencies whenever a K-9 unit is needed.
“He’s with me 24 hours a day," Nixon said. "He has his own office at home. That’s where his kennel is. That’s where he’s at when he’s not at work. It’s his safe space.”
Until there's work to do.
“When he hears the Velcro on my vest, he knows I’m getting ready for work and he’s ready to go,” Nixon said.
The bond is so close that Nixon notices when Patch isn’t riding beside him.
“Sometimes I’ll give him the day off, and I feel guilty because he loves being here,” Nixon said. “I’ll look in my rearview mirror and expect to see him.”
Patch is the latest in a line of K-9 officers that have become an important part of the Martins Ferry Police Department. Previous police dogs included Belgian Malinois Ecko, who retired after seven years of service, and Dutch shepherd Linus, who was trained in narcotics detection and suspect apprehension.
Patch is one of only a handful of police K-9s serving Belmont County.
While the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office and the St. Clairsville Police Department utilize narcotics detection dogs, Patch and Barnesville Police Department K-9 Croc are the county’s only multi-purpose police dogs capable of narcotics detection, criminal apprehension, tracking, evidence recovery, building searches and search-and-rescue operations.
That versatility has already proven valuable.
Since Nixon and Patch completed K-9 certification training in December 2025, the team has assisted in numerous narcotics investigations and helped remove illegal drugs and firearms from area streets.
On one of their first calls in Bridgeport, Patch alerted officers to narcotics hidden inside a vehicle during a traffic stop. The search led to the seizure of approximately an ounce of fentanyl, heroin and crack cocaine, along with cash, scales and packaging materials. Three suspects were arrested.
Nixon said Patch’s presence alone often changes the tone of an encounter.
“He is a deterrent, that’s for sure,” Nixon said. “When people see him or even hear him bark, they tend to make better decisions.”
Patch’s story began with another Martins Ferry police officer.
The dog was named in honor of William “Patch” Patsche, who served with the Martins Ferry Police Department from 1967 until 1996, including the final three and a half years as chief of police. After Patsche’s death, his family donated funds to purchase the department’s K-9, ensuring his nickname and commitment to public service would continue through a new generation.
Now another fallen officer is being remembered every time Patch suits up for duty.
West said the department is grateful that Buff’s legacy will live on through the gift.
“We are truly honored by this gift and grateful that Donnie’s memory will continue through the protection it provides to Patch,” West said. “The Martins Ferry Police Department will never take this kindness and generosity for granted.”