Hitchcock County Sheriff’s Office Launches Fundraising Effort for K-9 Unit
Hitchcock County Sheriff’s Office Launches Fundraising Effort for K-9 Unit
The Hitchcock County Sheriff’s Office is moving forward with plans to acquire a dual-purpose K-9 unit, and a unique vehicle donation is helping kick off the fundraising effort.
Sheriff Ryan King and Sergeant Damon are spearheading the project, which aims to bring a trained police dog to Hitchcock County for both narcotics detection and suspect apprehension.
The centerpiece of the fundraising campaign is a 1976 Triumph Spitfire 1500 donated by Trenton resident Sam Eldridge. According to organizers, the donation came about unexpectedly.
“It started off as a joke,” King said. While discussing possible donations for a future fundraising auction, someone suggested Eldridge might contribute something. King jokingly remarked that Eldridge should donate one of his cars. Later that evening, Eldridge called and offered to do exactly that.
The classic British sports car, valued between $10,000 and $15,000, will be raffled off once the necessary state paperwork is approved. Organizers hope to begin selling tickets as soon as possible and expect the drawing to take place after this summer’s local car show season.
The vehicle has already appeared at local events and is scheduled to be displayed at additional area car shows and community celebrations to help generate interest in the fundraiser.
For Sergeant Damon, the K-9 project addresses a growing need within the county.
“With the rising need of controlling drug access in the county, a drug dog is very needed,” he said. “We also need a dual-purpose dog for apprehending suspects who refuse to comply or barricade themselves.”
Currently, law enforcement officers in Hitchcock County often must wait for assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol when a police dog is needed. Damon said those delays can sometimes exceed two hours.
Having a locally assigned K-9 would provide officers with another investigative tool while also serving as a deterrent to criminal activity.
“If people start hearing Hitchcock County has a dog, they tend to try to go around the county,” Damon said.
Officers emphasized that K-9 deployments are subject to strict constitutional guidelines. Drug dogs cannot simply be used to investigate homes or individuals without proper legal justification, and law enforcement must continue to follow Fourth Amendment protections governing searches.
The cost of establishing the K-9 program is substantial. Officials estimate startup expenses between $25,000 and $30,000. The dog itself is expected to cost approximately $14,500. In addition, Damon will travel to Arkansas for about a month of handler training, where he will be paired with and trained alongside the dog.
Additional expenses include specialized kennel equipment, vehicle modifications, and a dedicated patrol vehicle capable of safely transporting the K-9.
The project has already received community support. A local bank has donated $1,000, and several businesses and individuals have pledged additional contributions. Organizers are also exploring options to work through local nonprofit and development organizations to allow for tax-deductible donations and assist with fundraising efforts.
Fundraising plans remain in development, but officials hope community support will allow the county to secure the K-9 unit in the near future.
Anyone interested in supporting the project is encouraged to contact the Hitchcock County Sheriff’s Office for additional information about donations and upcoming fundraising opportunities.
