Union County Sheriff's Office announces plans to acquire police dog

A local organization is helping the Union County Sheriff's Office in an effort to acquire a new law enforcement resource.

The sheriff's office last week received a $750 donation from the Union County chapter of Whitetails Unlimited for the office's newly launched K-9 police dog fund.

Union County Whitetails Unlimited chapter chairperson Wes Burris of Jonesboro presented a check in the amount of $750 to Union County Sheriff Scott Harvel and Union County Sheriff's Office Deputy Eric Ralls. Ralls will be the new K-9's handler.

The donation was the first one to be made to the sheriff's office K-9 fund.

The check was presented Thursday afternoon, July 21, at the Union County Sheriff's Office in Jonesboro.

The Union County Sheriff's Office is welcoming donations for the acquisition of a dog that has capabilities for tracking and drug detection.

The sheriff said that the goal will be to raise about $15,000 for the K-9 fund. The funds which are raised will be utilized to acquire the dog, to train the K-9 and its handler, and to obtain new equipment which will be needed for the new unit.

Ralls will receive his training through the Illinois State Police.

For more information on how to make a contribution, contact Deputy Ralls or Sheriff Harvel at the sheriff's office by calling 833-5500.