About Friends of Solo

At Friends of Solo, we are dedicated to protecting the brave K9 officers who risk their lives alongside law enforcement every day. Our mission is to equip these highly trained working dogs with essential safety gear, including ballistic body armor, field trauma kits, oxygen kits, police cruiser alarm systems, and cooling vests—ensuring they are protected while they serve.

K9 officers play a critical role in law enforcement, from detecting narcotics and explosives to tracking and apprehending criminals and even locating missing persons. Yet, in the line of duty, their safety is often at risk. That’s why we are committed to providing them with the best protective equipment available.

 

Our Inspiration

The idea for Friends of Solo was born from the heroic story of Solo, a German Shepherd with the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office. On June 28, 1998, Solo was tragically killed in the line of duty during a police standoff in Bradley Beach, NJ. His sacrifice inspired a promise—to provide bulletproof vests for K9 officers.

That promise became reality in 2016, when I published my first book, "The Adventures of Solo, The Big Dog", a children's book that funded the first ballistic vest donation. Since then, Friends of Solo has provided over 90 pieces of life-saving equipment to K9s across the United States.

 

Join Our Mission

Solo’s legacy lives on through our work, ensuring K9 officers receive the protection they deserve. With your support, we can continue outfitting these four-legged heroes with the gear they need to stay safe on the job.

​​​

​

​

James Wiater

Founder and President

​