When a shelter pit bull mix won the hearts of a police department, it led to an inspiring happy ending — and a new job!
Last month, a dog named Bolo from the Christian County Animal Shelter got an opportunity to go on patrol with officers from the Hopkinsville Police Department, as the first dog in their “Pawtrol Wednesday” program.
But in an unexpected turn of events, the officers were so won over by the beautiful shelter dog that they couldn’t say goodbye at the end of the day — they decided to adopt him for good!
“They didn’t think it would lead to a new member of the HPD family. But then Bolo arrived and stole everyone’s hearts,” a Facebook post from the City of Hopkinsville Local Government reads, saying that Bolo “showed up for a one-day visit and ended up finding his fur-ever home.”
“When it came time for him to go back that day, they got him in his cage, and he kind of dropped his head and whimpered, and everybody’s heart melted, and we decided to adopt him,” HPD Police Chief Jason Newby said in a video.
The department said that the sweet dog was now “a member of the HPD family,” getting along great with the officers and staff, and enjoying playtime, belly rubs and lots of naps around the office.
Not only did they adopt Bolo, they decided to make him an official member of the Hopkinsville Police Department… complete with his very own swearing-in ceremony!
During a Hopkinsville City Council meeting this month, Bolo was sworn in by Mayor JR Knight as “HPD’s very first Paw-trol Officer.”
Bolo signed an oath (via his pawprint) to “solemnly swear to support the citizens of the City of Hopkinsville, Kentucky.”
“We can’t wait to follow this sweet pup’s career on the force,” city officials wrote.
The Hopkinsville Police Department said that three police dispatchers were also sworn in at the same ceremony from their Emergency Communication Center.
Since being officially sworn in, Bolo has embraced his new duties as a member of the HPD and his community. Photos from the department show the new recruit visiting the Hopkinsville Christian County Imagination Library and Indian Hills Elementary.
He’s also paying it forward by hosting other shelter dogs, as the department continues their Pawtrol Wednesday program. A Facebook post from last month shows Bolo alongside an adoptable 2-year-old female pit mix named Maizy, also from the Christian County Animal Shelter.
Congrats to new recruit Bolo on getting adopted and officially sworn in by the Hopkinsville Police Department! We know you’ll be an amazing asset to the department and your community.
