Story by Carol Bryant
GRAND ISLAND – Grand Island Police Chief Kevin Denney had a “swearing in” ceremony for two police dogs Aug. 15 at Hornady Manufacturing.
Police Officer Tyler Noel is the handler for comfort dog Boone, who is an English lab. Police Officer Bourke Bowen is the handler for service dog Cello, who is a Dutch shepherd. Cello joins the K9 unit at the Police Department. Each dog is just a little over 1 year old.
Denney and Grand Island Senior High School Principal Calvin Hubbard were excited about the value that Boone will have interacting with students at Grand Island Senior High School. Noel is a school resource officer at the high school.
Grand Island Police Chief Kevin Denney swears in comfort dog Boone at Hornady Manufacturing on Aug. 15. Police Officer Tyler Noel is Boone’s handler. (Carol Bryant, CentralNebraskaToday.com)
“We’re really grateful to have Boone in the school,” Hubbard said. Grand Island Public Schools Superintendent Matt Fisher was also present Aug. 15.
“We’re here to thank Hornady,” Denney said.
Hornady Manufacturing donated $26,000 for Boone. Funds raised by Hall County Crimestoppers and previous donations paid for Cello.
Hornady Manufacturing Vice President Jason Hornady said that purchasing Boone “gives us a chance to support Grand Island Public Schools and the Grand Island Police Department.”
Denney said this is the first time the Police Department has had a comfort dog.
“It was Officer Noel’s idea,” Denney said.
Noel is the primary handler for Boone. Boone will serve all of Grand island Public Schools and will be made available for any crisis event and people in need throughout the community.
Denney said, “I’m just really excited about the engagement opportunities that the school resource officer will have with Boone.”
Boone will be used constantly to interact with students, the police chief said. Boone will also be used at the Child Advocacy Center, where children who are crime victims are interviewed.
“Having a comfort dog to take there is very beneficial,” Denney said.
Cello’s name was derived from the name of the late Grand Island Police Officer Christopher Marcello, Denney said. Marcello, 42, died July 27, 2022, of natural causes.
Cello will be used in patrol duty in the K9 unit, Denney said. One police service dog just retired, and the Police Department plans to get a second police service dog to use for patrol duty, the police chief said.
Grand Island Police Chief Kevin Denney swears in police service dog Cello at Hornady Manufacturing on Aug. 15. Police officer Burke Bowen is Cello’s handler. (Carol Bryant, CentralNebraskaToday.com)
Denney said the police service dogs are important because they help keep police officers and the community safe.
