When Baron was asphyxiated on October 7th, 2014 in a St. Johns County, FL swamp, the Sheriff’s Office canine deputy’s death moved Debbie Johnson to tears. Now she’s been moved to do more. She’s helping Baron’s partners through her new nonprofit, K-9s United. Johnson took Civilian Law Enforcement Academy classes to learn about the department and its budget needs. She also met Baron’s handler, Deputy Farrah Ashe.
“We think it is outstanding that someone would take such an interest and be captivated by a tragedy that we suffered as an agency,” Kelshaw said. “That she also went to our academy and got an inside look at what we do as an agency and is willing to help us is outstanding.”
The result is K-9s United, which is raising money for Baron’s division first, then later for canine corps in other Northeast Florida police agencies that need equipment, veterinary services, training and computer programs that budgets don’t cover.
“The canine handlers and these dogs are so awesome at what they do that I want to create awareness about how brave they are every day that they go out, and the bond they have,” she said. Johnson’s efforts are appreciated by the Sheriff’s Office, which will present her with a list of unbudgeted needs such as food or bulletproof dog vests that she can purchase when funds are raised, Sheriff’s Office spokesman Kevin Kelshaw said. Johnson says she eventually wants to help K-9s statewide and then eventually take it nationwide.
