The Door County Sheriff’s Department is dedicated to the safety and welfare of all citizens and visitors. They are committed to partnering with the community to solve problems and improve public safety in a manner that is fair, transparent, and consistent.
The Crime Prevention Foundation is one of the easiest ways the community can help the Sheriff’s Department live out its mission. The Foundation assists the department in providing vital services important to our community. Our communities’ School Resource Officers, DARE program, Chop ‘N’ Shop with a Cop, CRAVE 21 Challenge, along with specialized law enforcement training and equipment, have all benefited from funds raised by the Foundation.
Door County’s K-9 unit is one of the most beloved programs the Crime Prevention Foundation helped revitalize. Donors large and small rallied together to help purchase and train K-9 Deputy Odinn. The Foundation’s involvement didn’t stop there as it continued to support veterinary services, related safety equipment, and further training for Odinn and his handler.
Unfortunately, Deputy Odinn passed away in June 2023, leaving big paws to fill in the department. The Door County Sheriff’s Department knows Odinn will not be easily replaced but is determined to carry on his legacy with the help of the Crime Prevention Foundation.
The Foundation has since helped fund two new K-9 deputies. The first, K-9 TJ, is a Dutch Shepherd imported from Hungary who is trained in narcotics detection, tracking, article location, and patrol. Paired with Deputy Tina Spaulding, TJ also participates in community outreach events and recently took first place in a regional K-9 competition. The second K-9, Rosie, is a German Shepherd from Bulgaria who serves on patrol and with the Door County SWAT team. She is trained in drug detection, tracking, article searches, building searches, and suspect apprehension, working closely with Deputy Mitch Tlachac.
In addition to the K-9 program, the Foundation helped bring Door County’s first certified therapy dog to the Sheriff’s Office in 2024. Finn, a Labradoodle donated by Blueberry Cottage Labradoodles, is handled by Coordinated Response Specialist Kyanna Francour and Investigator Ellie Williams. Finn provides comfort and emotional support to Justice Center staff, crime victims, and members of the public, and is quickly becoming a community favorite at events like the Door County Fair and Chop ‘N Shop with a Cop.
Your generous gift to the Crime Prevention Foundation will help care for the K-9 units and therapy dog, and support other law enforcement programs that keep our community safe. Contributions from people like you have already helped us raise sufficient resources to pay for the purchase, training, and equipping of these incredible dogs. However, additional donations are needed to provide for the long-term care of the animals as well as to support other crime prevention efforts in Door County. Click here to make a gift to the Door County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Foundation.
The Door County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Foundation is a component fund of the Door County Community Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) public charity. All contributions are deductible to the fullest extent as allowed by law.
The Door County Community Foundation, Inc. is a collection of separate charitable funds set up by individuals, families, non-profit organizations, private foundations, and businesses that are managed, invested, and disbursed for the current and future good of Door County. The Community Foundation was launched in 1999, currently administers more than $40 million in assets, and distributes more than $5 million to charities in Door County every year. For more information about the Door County Community Foundation, visit us online at www.GiveDoorCounty.org.
