Donation helps Mercer County Sheriff’s Office move forward with new K-9 unit

CELINA — Mercer County Sheriff Doug Timmerman says community support is helping the sheriff’s office move ahead with plans for a new K-9 unit.

Timmerman said a generous donation from Bob Kidner of Coldwater and the Red, White and the Blue group will help cover the cost of purchasing a new police dog. He said the sheriff’s office had been discussing the need for a replacement dog for about a year.

According to Timmerman, the sheriff’s office had also spoken with Mercer County commissioners last year about replacing one of its vehicles, and that new vehicle will be set up as a K-9 unit. He said the vehicle is expected to arrive in late summer, around the same time the new dog should be available.

Timmerman said Deputy Stidham has been selected as the next K-9 deputy and is scheduled to begin training in August, with training expected to wrap up sometime in September.

He also thanked the community for continued support of the sheriff’s office, noting a recent donation from a Celina area husband and wife to help purchase K-9 food and AED equipment.

Timmerman added that the sheriff’s office has also received support in the past from the Spotted Moose, the Celina Eagles, and the Coldwater Eagles.

He said those donations are greatly appreciated and help the sheriff’s office continue providing service to county residents.