VILLA HILLS, Ky. – Police plan to start a K-9 unit thanks to grant funds from Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
The NFL star annually awards funds for K-9 units in the Tri-State and other regions where the Steelers play through his Ben Roethlisberger Foundation. This is the 12th year for the grants, according to a news release.
The local awards have been announced prior to the Steelers’ game against the Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium.
“The Villa Hills Police Department determined the necessity to re-establish a K-9 Unit for the dual purpose of narcotic detection and search and rescue tracking,” said Sgt. Matthew R.B. Hall said. “With the K-9 Unit, the Villa Hills Police Department can provide the utmost level of law enforcement protection to its citizens.”
The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation has awarded more $1.92 million in grants since 2007, the release said.
“We’re very fortunate to be in the position that we are able to help these K-9 units,” said Roethlisberger, who has ties to the Tri-State.
Roethlisberger was raised in Findlay, Ohio and rewrote the record book in three seasons at Miami University in Oxford. He was the Steelers’ first-round draft pick in 2004.
