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Sheriff Richard J Behnke reports that his office will be participating in the closing ceremony of the 2018 school year partnership program between the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and Berrien Counties Lybrook Elementary School on Friday June 8th.
This program was developed by 1st grade teacher Kelly Severin in 2016 when she asked to “adopt a cop”, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy TK Graves and her K9 partner Nellie. With the support of Cass Counties Sheriff Richard Behnke, and Berrien Counties Sheriff Paul Bailey, Severin and Graves have worked to further develop the program, which is now in its second successful year. The program works to bridge the gap between Law Enforcement and kids at a young age so they have positive interaction with Law Enforcement and might see it as what they want to be when they grow up.
Graves expanded the program this year to 50 second graders at Marcellus Elementary in Cass County, and it was also piloted to Deputy Jackie Harris and her K9 partner Xenia in Branch County (Sheriff John Pollack) this year. Harris and Xenia ended up being adopted by 250 students at Jefferson Elementary School, which praised its success. The Deputies bring along their affectionate Bloodhounds and a new safety friend each month, such as 911 Dispatch, Animal Control, Fire and Ambulance, as well as other K9’s, to teach a safety lesson and learn who the friends in their community are. On Friday June 8th there will be a parade for the students and they will be treated to a short program honoring their service.