Two donations have brought in nearly enough money to obtain a new K-9 for the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.
The sheriff department presented a certificate of appreciation Monday to Emmylou Wischmeier of Columbus, who along with her husband John, donated $10,000 just weeks after the retirement of Bolt, a German shepherd and Belgian Malinois mix.
When the police dog’s handler, Sgt. Kris Weisner, retired after 36 years of service on Jan. 20, so did Bolt after six years of service.
While being honored by the Bartholomew County commissioners Monday, Wischmeier explained why she made the donation.
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After a lengthy spell of ill health, Wischmeier said she had set aside money for her family “if something happened to me.”
But when her health improved beyond expectations, Wischmeier said she decided to use some of her funds to make a meaningful donation to the community.
In exchange for her financial gift, the sheriff department allowed Wischmeier to select the name of the new police dog, which she said would be Shadow. She said she chose the name to honor a dog that lost her life while training to become a tracker.
On Tuesday, the sheriff’s department also thanked Real World Testing, a Columbus engine-testing company, for donating $4,000 toward the purchase of the new K9. The company had previously donated $18,000 to purchase the department’s second K9 Diesel, and also chose his name.
It usually costs $15,000 to both acquire and train a police dog, and the department is moving forward with naming a new K-9 officer, according to the department.
Once the canine is selected, Shadow will be sent to the Ventosa Kennel Police K9 Training Center in eastern North Carolina for six weeks of training, according to Capt. Dave Steinkoenig, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department’s road division commander.
After a handler is selected, Shadow will undergo an additional six weeks with the selected deputy in North Carolina, Steinkoenig said.
The sheriff’s office should be back up to two active police dogs in May, deputies said. That includes Deputy Matt Bush and his K-9 unit, Diesel.
Shadow will have to fill some pretty big paw prints to fill. Last year, Bolt conducted 42 vehicle sniffs and 16 building searches, and was involved in 53 arrests, Weisner said.
A police dog usually stays on duty about eight to 10 years after being placed in service, according to Chief Deputy Maj. Chris Lane. Although K-9 units have a number of uses, police dogs are especially valuable in drug seizures and protecting their handler, Lane said.
Since the department already has a car equipped for a K9 that Weisner and Bolt used, Lane says that will make having the new police dog more affordable.
Sheriff Matt Myers said the department has a goal to obtain three police dogs, so one K-9 officer will be on duty during each shift.
“It is our goal to send a deputy to K9 school next month and to have two dogs back on our streets in May,” Myers said. “Our ultimate goal is to have three K9 units. I can’t thank the folks from Real World Testing enough for stepping up again.”
Anyone who would like to donate toward obtaining the new dog may email Myers at [email protected].
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Advantages in having police dogs
- A K9’s superior sense of smell.
- The dog’s ability to assist in locating and apprehending wanted suspects.
- The canine’s ability to protect law enforcement officers.
- The ability to help search for and rescue missing people.
- The dog’s ability to locate evidence at crime scenes
- A valuable resource during vehicle inspections
Source: Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department
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