The following is a letter posted Friday on FB by Sheriff Brandon Carver to the residents of Sheridan County:

As Paul Harvey would say … here is the rest of the story!

The Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office wants to bring our taxpayers up to speed about the funding situation for K9 Dak. Prior to deciding on purchasing a drug dog, we took an online survey, we also discussed the idea with the commissioners. We felt that a drug dog was necessary due to the influx in drug cases, especially meth cases.

These drugs are ruining communities, families, and increasing other crime. If Law Enforcement doesn’t take proactive stance with the current drug “epidemic” happening nationwide, we will see more deaths and more victims of crimes. Our agency will stand their ground against illegal drugs.

We proceeded with getting the K9 solely based on the fact that the K9 would be funded by a GI Bill through the VA. Paperwork was submitted and accepted. We then proceeded with obtaining the dog and certifying both the handler and the K9. It was brought to our attention from the training facility that they hadn’t received payment for reimbursement for the K9. Long story short, the training facility that was listed on the initial application and was approved, was later denied and informed by the VA that the training facility was not accredited training facility through the VA. Which left us in a horrible position.

We were scrambling around trying to find the funding as our budget couldn’t withhold it. God answered our prayers, with outstanding support from the community and actually from around the state. We held a “beef raffle”, the beef was donated by local rancher (who wants to remain anonymous), which helped us tremendously. We raised over $4,000 with this fundraiser. We have had other individuals donate afghan blankets, collector cars, and misc items to be raffle off at a later date.

We didn’t know how the “beef raffle” would go over, so we looked at other avenues for funding too. We hired Corina Cox with Northwest Kansas Planning & Development Commission (NWKPDC) to help us with a grant. We applied for a $10,000 grant through the Dane G. Hansen Community Foundation and received confirmation that we received $5,000 of the $10,000 requested.

Through all the donations and grant funds received, I am proud to report to the tax payers that your local K9 Dak is fully paid for, the required equipment is paid for, and all other expense are covered. There are no words that could ever express my gratitude toward our local citizens and folks from around the state for your support! Thank You and God Bless

Sheridan County Sheriff Brandon Carver
Hoxie