My boyfriend, Michael is a true hero in the community. When he was 8 years old he started his own non-profit organization, Protect Police K-9, which raises money to buy bullet proof vests for police dogs. His teacher in third grade asked the students who would be afraid to call the police station and see if they needed a vest for a police dog. Each vest costs $825. Now 10 years, and 170 vests later he is still working hard to keep his organization going. He works very hard each day to try to raise money to vest these dogs, to keep them, and other officers safe. His goal is to vest all the dogs in the state of Arizona, and he doesn\\\'t plan on quitting until he reaches that goal, He attends NAU full time, as well as keeping up with the organization. He takes on more than the average college student, but does it because he is passionate about keeping dogs safe. Having met him, I am a changed person. He inspires not only me, but everyone who meets him, to become better people in their community. I have been told by many people, ranging from citizens to police officers, that he is their hero. He is truly and great person, and deserves to be recognized as a hero in the community.

Signed,
Lynsey Phillips