COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Bartholomew County Sheriff Department is asking those who wish to contribute to the county’s K9 program in memory of Diesel to do so only through direct donations at the department.
The department has been alerted to a possible scam of someone portraying themselves as a supporter of the K9 program through Spot Fund or Go Fund Me who does not have any affiliation with or permission from the department.
Those who would like to drop off a card or other donation item should bring it to the front desk at the Sheriff’s Office or mail it to 543 2nd St., Columbus Ind. 47201.
If the department does have a more broad-based fundraiser, Bartholomew County Sheriff Matthew A. Myers will personally endorse the effort. If anyone has questions, send them to Deputy Dana Vogt at dvogt@bartholomew.in.gov.
In a statement, the department said it has been humbled by the community outreach resulting from the death of K9 Diesel, who died after being hit by a vehicle Nov. 14 while pursuing a domestic violence suspect on I-65.
Organizations including the Bartholomew County Humane Society, Dog World and veterans organizations have volunteered to host fundraisers for a memorial and to sustain the K9 program. These organizations, as well as hundreds of citizens, have sent cards, well wishes, prayers, personal items to the department and Diesel’s handler Deputy Matt Bush.
“We are still in the grieving process but our spirits are lifted by the outpouring of support,” the statements said. “We want to thank the community again for the overwhelming support.”
For more on this story, see Wednesday’s Republic.
