K9 Donna sworn in as BPD’s newest officer

By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com

There’s a new officer roaming the streets of Bucyrus and she’s got the nose for crime.

K9 Donna, with her handler Patrolman Curt Bursby by her side, was sworn in as the Bucyrus Police Department’s newest officer. Four-year-old Donna, who is a Belgian Malinois, had caught the eye of the police department when it began searching for a new K9.

“We’ve had a great program,” said Police Chief Dave Koepke. “She’ll be a great asset to the department.”

“I’ve always wanted to have a dog for the police department,” said Bursby. “The opportunity came around, I put my name in for it and Chief Koepke said I could become the K9 unit.”

Bursby has been working with Donna since September. Tri-State Canine Services, out of Warren, Ohio, trained Donna in sniffing for narcotics, article searches and tracking.

Bursby said Donna has done pretty well so far on the few drug searches she has been involved in.

“We’re thrilled to have Donna join the department because it’s a critical that we have a drug-sniffing dog and it’s a bonus that she’s also a tracking dog and can search for articles,” praised Koepke. “It makes her that much more valuable for investigating crimes.”

Before Tuesday evening’s swearing in, the police department had a heroin arrest and resisting arrest.

“It was quite busy and it just reminds us what’s going on and the challenge that Officer Bursby and Donna are going to be up against,” said Koepke.

The K9 unit wouldn’t be a part of the department without the generosity of the Community Foundation for Crawford County, the Rotary Club and the donors.

“We’re grateful to them,” Koepke said.

Donna will be joining the ranks with K9 Amigo, who is still on the force. Unfortunately, the department does not have a vehicle for Amigo, who has been in failing health. The department uses the sport utility vehicle to transport the K9s.

“When we go into the next year, we’re going to officially announce Amigo’s retirement,” Koepke said. “The timing couldn’t be better that here’s Donna and we don’t miss a beat and continue with the dog program.”