Gibson County community fundraises for K9 joining the sheriff’s office

PRINCETON, Ind. (WEHT) — In Gibson County, a K9 officer will be coming to serve alongside the sheriff’s office soon.

“We’re excited as a department,” says Sgt. Loren Barchett, who serves the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office. “This is something that we haven’t had in a long time, and everyone in the department is very excited about this opportunity.”

2-year-old K9 named Duke will join the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office once he has finished training in Tennessee. Sgt. Barchett will training with Duke beginning May 28.

Eyewitness News is told Duke is the first K9 officer in over a decade to join the sheriff’s office.

After learning how to track narcotics and catch suspects, Duke will start patrolling Gibson County as an officer alongside Sgt. Barchett.

“Just to have that — to have another tool in our toolbox. To be able to get narcotics off the street to catch violent felons — and that’s what we’re wanting to go after. It’s going to make everybody much safe in the community,” Sgt. Barchett says.

Saturday marks not only a public safety education event, but a fundraiser to hep pay for Duke’s well-being, including food, veterinarian bills and training.

The addition of a K9 officer only comes from community donations, and Eyewitness News is told adding a K9 is a necessity.

Some on Saturday, including Jennifer MacKay, are lining up literally to support Duke.

“This is going to be a big help to have this K9 come and really help our community even further,” MacKay says. “I just think it’s really important for the community to come out and support things like this.”

For those wishing to donate to Duke, contact the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office at (812) 385-3496.

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