By Amelia A. Pridemore
Beckley’s newest K-9 dog Helo cost $10,000, Police Chief Tim Deems said, and $6,000 of that cost came from citizen donations.
He noted Beckley officers did not approach the donors. The donors — Jan-Care Ambulance, construction company Veteran Enterprises and First Action Bail Bonds — came to Beckley P.D. willingly after they heard about Merlin’s death, wanting to help.
“As a magistrate, I saw the work that Merlin and Will did,” said Raleigh County Magistrate Steve Massie, owner of Veteran Enterprises. “As a citizen, I thought it would be bad if they were not able to continue that work. Will is a good K-9 officer, and I wanted to do what I could do to help.
“He’s got the basic training, and now, it’s up to Will to turn him into a good police dog. There will never be another Merlin, but Will will make Helo a great asset to the city police department.”
“K-9s help protect the community, and Will needed a new dog,” said William Seay of First Action Bail Bonds. “I wanted to help expedite this.”
Capt. Robbie Johnson of Jan-Care said emergency medical service providers work hand-in-hand with law enforcement officers. Jan-Care employees came to know Merlin well.
Johnson believes Helo will be a positive addition to the Beckley P.D. roster — but is glad he is not a suspect facing Helo, either.
“This is why I wear a badge,” Johnson said. “I don’t want to be on THAT side of the law.”
