Thanks to one woman's kind — and sizable — gesture, the Gwinnett County Police Department has a new K9 officer.
She's a beaut of a Belgian Malinois, and her name is Elsa.
Elsa's journey to Gwinnett, where she's expected to hit the streets in February, began over the summer, when Kathy Gestar wrote a letter to the police department.
“Moved by the need for additional dogs and equipment, I founded the Cody Fund, named after my beloved Sheltie that passed away in 2008, to support police K9 units in Gwinnett County,” Gestar wrote, adding that she wanted to donate $12,000 for GCPD to buy and train a new K9.
That K9 turned out to be Elsa.
According to a news release from the police department:
"On Wednesday, Dec. 7, Chief [Butch] Ayers, Major [John] Strickland, and the K9 Unit presented Ms. Gestar with a framed photo of Elsa and gave personal appreciation for her generous donation. The event took place at the Rotary Club at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce.
Elsa and her handler, Officer Dan Larsen received their initial training from the Tarheel Canine Training in Sanford, North Carolina. Elsa will likely begin her first shift around February after she receives all her necessary training."
Several photos of Elsa, Larsen and Gestar are below.
Credit: Gwinnett County Police Department
Credit: Gwinnett County Police Department
Credit: Gwinnett County Police Department
Credit: Gwinnett County Police Department
Credit: Gwinnett County Police Department
Credit: Gwinnett County Police Department
Credit: Gwinnett County Police Department
Credit: Gwinnett County Police Department
Credit: Gwinnett County Police Department
Credit: Gwinnett County Police Department
Credit: Gwinnett County Police Department
Credit: Gwinnett County Police Department
Credit: Gwinnett County Police Department
Credit: Gwinnett County Police Department
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