Monroe police get new canine
German shepherd that was purchased with donated funds was valedictorian in his training class.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Monroe police Officer Gregg Myers' new canine partner, Rusty, will officially take to the streets on April 27.
The 19-month-old German shepherd completed his certification on April 11 as a patrol and drug-sniffing dog for the city's police department during six weeks of formal training at Police Dog Services Inc. in Germantown.
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Monroe police chief Greg Homer shakes hands with officer Gregg Myers after pinning a badge onto his new partner, Rusty.
Get latest headlines via RSS feeds"He's a very trainable, very calm and focused dog when he's working. I'm very pleased with him," Myers said.
Monroe Police Chief Greg Homer introduced Rusty — the newest member of the department and valedictorian of his class — to City Council, and attached a ceremonial police badge on his collar during Council's meeting on Tuesday, April 22.
"He seems like he's going to be a good dog," Homer said.
Myers told Council, "We will get out there and do our best for the city."
Rusty is replacing Myers' 9-year-old canine partner Alec, also a German shepherd, who was euthanized last year after suffering a stroke and complications from cancer.
The city accepted $21,200 in donations from 11 donors to be used for the purchase, training, equipment and upkeep of Rusty. The donors included AmeriStop, Trader's World, Nelson Stark, Duke Energy, Catnip and Carrots, Levin Family Foundation, Franklin Police Association and Teppco.
