Photo: Courtesy of the Ozark County Times
The Ozark County Community Foundation (OCCF) recently awarded a $3,500 grant to the Ozark County Sheriff Department’s K9 program. The grant proposal, written and submitted by Ozark County Sheriff’s Deputy Seth Miller, was made as part of the OCCF’s 2022 grant round.
The money will be used to train and certify Ozark County Deputy Josh Sherman as the new handler of K9 Rye, a German Shepherd who joined the department in the summer of 2020. The training is legally required to allow the dog and handler team to effectively and efficiently work in the field.
Sheriff Cass Martin says, “We are fortunate to have such a great partner with Ozark County Community Foundation. Their dedication towards local law enforcement and their success is overwhelming and we are truly grateful.” Sherman will be Rye’s fourth handler. Former Deputy Vesa Phelan was the original handler under Sheriff Darrin Reed’s administration but left his position with the department sometime before Sheriff Martin took office in January 2021. With Phelan’s departure, Sheriff’s Sgt. Justin Brown took over the position of handler, followed by Deputy Alan Daffron. Brown and Daffron left the positions with the sheriff’s office in early August when seven OCSD employees were laid off due to budgetary restraints. Missouri legally requires sheriff’s departments to employ a certified handler in order to use a K9.
According to Ozark County Times, Miller who wrote the grant, says, “Rye is a big part of our department and without a handler we’ve got a $10,000 pet instead of a K9. I knocked on enough doors and shook enough hands until I found the answer. I took it upon myself to do that for my community and Rye because she’s a deputy herself, and we need every last one we can get in our current budget situation.”
The Ozark County Sheriff’s Department’s K9 program is funded by donations and grants.
Those interested in making a donation may find out more by contacting the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department at 417-679-4633.
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