Donation to help patrol fund explosive detection dog

Express Employment Professionals has made a $12,000 donation to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for the purchase of a new K-9 officer.

Department of Public Safety Commissioner Michael C. Thompson accepted the check from Express representatives Bob Funk, founder, CEO and chairman; Bill Stoller, founder, president and vice chairman; and Cathy Keating, philanthropic chairwoman, according to a news release.

“This past year Express Employment Professionals employed a record 510,000 people, with a long-term goal of putting a million people to work annually. We are pleased to add the employment of a K-9 with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol to those numbers. That’s a new one for us,” Funk said.

“I would like to thank Mr. Bob Funk and former first lady Cathy Keating for their strong interest and steadfast support of public safety,” Thompson said.

“This generous gift to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol will enable state troopers to better serve the people of Oklahoma for years to come.”

The explosive detection dog will replace the patrol’s oldest active K-9 officer, who will be retired at age 11. Training should be complete and the new K-9 should be in service by early winter. The patrol currently has four explosive detection dogs.

“These explosive detection dogs ensure safety across the state in our schools, stadiums, arenas and other venues,” Keating said.

“It is vital that we at Express Employment Professionals provide the funds for this K-9 as a show of support for our law enforcement.”

[PHOTO BY MELINDA INFANTE, FOR THE OKLAHOMAN] Michael C. Thompson, public safety commissioner, listens to Lt. Mike Norman, handler of K-9 officer Nitro, as he explains to Bob Funk how the donation will allow the Oklahoma Highway Patrol to hire a fully trained K-9 explosive detection dog that will...