MOUNT VERNON — Two nights after the city’s first K9 drug dog hit the streets to help fight the drug problem in the community, the city of Mount Vernon received the money to purchase a second dog.
Dave Culbertson, who, along with his wife, Ellen, founded the Arms of an Angel Foundation, presented Police Chief Roger Monroe with a check for $15,000 raised through the foundation.
“Eighty percent of the funding came from donations of $50 or less,” said Culbertson. “We are only about $2,800 short of getting the Knox County Sheriff’s Office their canine unit. I am confident we will reach that goal.”
Culbertson said the goal is to provide a K9 on every shift for the Mount Vernon Police Department, if the MVPD desires it.
The Culbertsons founded Arms of An Angel Foundation nine years ago, the day after their son, Carl, died of an overdose. Culbertson chose Nov. 13 as the day to present the money to Monroe because that’s Carl’s birthday.
“On his birthday, we’d rather be at a birthday party watching him blow out his candles, but God had other plans for Carl and for our family,” said Culbertson.
Mayor Richard Mavis read a proclamation honoring the Culbertsons for their efforts to heighten the awareness of the personal and family tragedy that surrounds drug abuse. Earlier this year, the Arms of an Angel Foundation raised $18,000 which was used to buy and train the city’s first K9, Laya.
Monroe said that Laya and her handler, Patrolman Sarah Wheeler, completed their first shift on Saturday night.
“Their efforts resulted in a weighted seizure of drugs,” said Monroe. “That means a felony charge. It’s only their first night, and already we’ve seen the results.”
