Community leaders in Franklin have helped secure retirement for police dogs at the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.
Everyday K-9 dogs give their service to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department in tracking down suspects and missing people, clearing buildings quicker than human police officers, and identifying illegal substances. K-9s provide a great service while asking for nothing in return, but until recently these dogs had no coverage for medical or food costs after they retire from service.
A Leadership Franklin project, Gunner’s Guardians, was born out of a desire to make sure that police K-9 officers are properly taken care of once they can no longer perform their duties. The team of five started the idea as a retirement reception for Gunner, a recent K-9 retiree and much-loved member of the police department, but the project eventually morphed into raising money to buy K-9 bulletproof vests and establishing a retirement account for the Williamson County Sheriff Department’s K-9 officers to cover food and medical costs for retired canine officers.
The group met K-9 Gunner during a demonstration at the sheriff’s department, just one month 
before he retired. Gunner, a long-haired German Shepard, has a tendency to steal the hearts of all who come around him, unless of course they are participating in illegal activity. He started the force when he was just over a year old and served faithfully with his handler Corporal Debbie Rogers for over six years before retiring in November 2014.
Group leader Corey Napier, said, “K-9 Gunner leaves a big legacy and big paws for his successors to fill. We are grateful for the community support and for the unique services the K-9 unit provides day in and day out, helping to improve our quality of life in Williamson County.”
Group members Chaz Corzine, Kerri Hudson, Corey Napier, Jose Rodriguez and Laura Beth Stubblefield also found out that the K-9 unit had only one vest for all dogs on the force. After Gunner’s retirement, there are three police dogs in the Williamson County K-9 unit.
At a retirement event to honor Gunner, almost $1,000 was raised, which was enough to fund vests so that all three dogs currently in service will be protected during their duties.
“It was basically a way to pay homage to the K-9 unit and the service they provide to our community, to recognize Gunner as his retirement approached for the service he had provided for our community, and to help fundraise some monetary funds to assist with the K-9s retirement, medical and feeding costs,” said Kerri Hudson, member of the Leadership Franklin group.
Today Gunner lives at home with his loving owner Corporal Debbie Rogers. Although he was at first confused as to why Corporal Rogers was leaving him at home when she went to work at the police department, he has settled into his retirement and spends his most of his days lying around and sleeping.
“The animals don’t ask for anything in return,” Hudson said. “Other than getting scratched behind the ears they don’t ask for anything in return and they serve selflessly everyday.”
To give a donation into the Gunner’s Guardians retirement fund, which is a fund for all dogs retired from the Williamson County police force, send cash or check to:
Williamson County Sheriff’s Office
Attn: Vickie Pedrick
408 Century Court
Franklin, TN 37064
Make sure to note that the donation is for Gunner’s Guardians. Donations may also be made in person.
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