Over $11,500 idles in Kimball county's coffers, and has been sitting there since a fund raiser in 2007 initiated by the sheriff at that time for the purchase of a drug dog.

The money was collected from the donations of Kimball residents who support the department in the purchase of a K-9 officer. Fast forward to February 15, 2011 at the regular meeting of the Kimball County Board of Commissioners. Sheriff Harry Gillway sought council approval to use the money for its intended purpose--with a twist.

Gillway found a dual purpose dog available fully trained for both tracking and drug use for less than $5000, including two weeks of handler training. The department has a dedicated deputy willing to maintain and work with the dog, has planned sharing training expenses with Cheyenne County Sheriff's department and found a veterinarian willing to offer services at a reduced cost.

This dog would come to Kimball fully funded by donations and its primary upkeep would be covered for the near future by generous donations from citizens who see the need for a K-9 officer in Kimball.

Since 2007 Kimball has experienced several missing person cases, including children. These may have been found sooner with a tracking dog. A meth lab was discovered, and several Kimball citizens have been arrested on drug-related charges--incidents in which the police would have benefitted from the availability of a trained dog.

Just last week, while searching a premises in Kimball, the police and sheriff's departments had to call in Scottsbluff's K-9 unit. The day before officers conducted a bond search of a Kimball citizen and the prior weekend an 83-year-old man was missing.

We believe a K-9 officer is a necessity in Kimball for safety and citizens have supported the idea monetarily.

The K-9 officer would be nearly or completely funded by donations, therefore saving tax payers the “rental fees” associated with borrowing another agency's officer.

Imagine having the need for a new vehicle; imagine having the savings to buy, maintain and insure it; then imagine someone telling you now is not the time.

Kimball needs a K-9 officer. Kimball has the funds for a K-9 officer. If not now, when?