JD, Legion lead return of Clinton County K-9 program

WILMINGTON, Ohio — Participants in the Clinton County Foundation’s annual Sporting Clays Classic got a chance May 8 to meet the first dogs in the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office’s revived K-9 program at Cherrybend Pheasant Farm.

JD, a German Shepherd, and Legion, a Dutch Shepherd, appeared during the fundraiser, which benefited the sheriff’s office K-9 program. The dogs came from the Czech Republic and respond to commands given in Czech.

JD is partnered with Deputy Parker Gunkel, while Legion is partnered with Deputy Sam Eastes.

Sheriff Doug Eastes said the department posted the K-9 handler positions internally and accepted applications from interested deputies. Gunkel and Sam Eastes were the only applicants.

According to the sheriff, the candidates were interviewed by command staff and evaluated by the department’s K-9 instructor before being selected as handlers.

Earlier this month, the teams completed state certification through Southern Ohio Police K-9.

According to the training organization, both teams are certified as dual-purpose units trained in patrol work and narcotics detection.

The dogs are trained to track suspects, find missing people, detect drugs, assist with apprehensions, locate items such as discarded firearms, and protect deputies during dangerous situations.

In addition to patrol work, JD and Legion will visit schools and participate in the county’s DARE program and community events, giving residents a chance to meet and interact with the dogs.

The sheriff’s office brought back its K-9 program this year after more than a decade without a police dog in Clinton County. The county’s previous K-9 program dated back to the early 1980s.

When the sheriff’s office announced plans to restore the unit last fall, officials estimated startup costs at around $173,000 for the two dogs, training, equipment and specially outfitted vehicles to transport both K-9s and people in custody.

Although the department has met and exceeded its original fundraising goal, Eastes said fundraising efforts will continue.

“We are still collecting funds to maintain the program and purchase equipment for the program,” he said. “Also, we want to build it up for future K-9s when these two retire.”

The Clinton County Foundation selected the Sheriff’s Community Safety Fund as its partner for this year’s Sporting Clays Classic fundraiser.

“The Clinton County Foundation chose the Sheriff’s Community Safety Fund held within the Foundation to be our partner on the Sporting Clays Classic because of their efforts to raise funds to support the new K-9 program,” Executive Director Mark Kraus said. “Sheriff Eastes and I met to discuss potential funders for their program, and I suggested we could partner on the event, and it went from there.”

Sixteen teams participated in the Sporting Clays Classic fundraiser. Kraus said his goal was to get 20 teams for the event’s first year.

“We were extremely pleased with the turnout, and it is a great starting point for the 2027 event,” he said.

Kraus said the event generated $18,000 in net revenue, with $9,000 going to the Sheriff’s Community Safety Fund and the remaining $9,000 supporting the Foundation’s grants program.

Kraus thanked the event’s sponsors, including presenting sponsor TriHealth Clinton Regional Hospital, as well as Kettering Health, ATSG, Ameriprise Financial, R&L Carriers, Mercer and 1572 Roadhouse BBQ.

“I’ve worked the past 36 years in the nonprofit space, and without the support of community businesses and individual donors, nonprofits would not survive,” he said. “Most nonprofits don’t have an endowment that they can draw from to support their operations, so each year the monies they raise literally pay the bills and keep the lights on.”

Eastes said the revived K-9 program received support from businesses, organizations and residents throughout the county. Donors included R&L Carriers, American Legion Post 49, Invenergy, VFW Post 6710, Bush Fund, Eagles, Jurgensen, ATSG, Peoples Bank, Walmart, Clinton County Antique Club, LE Partners, Matthew 25 Ministries, Havercamp Foundation, Elks Lodge 797, TriHealth, Purina, 1572 Roadhouse BBQ and Orchard Veterinary Care.

Donations to the Sheriff’s Community Safety Fund can be made through the Clinton County Foundation at ccf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1049.