$10K Donation Will Outfit New APD K-9 Handler's Squad Car With Cage

AURORA, IL — Aurora Police Department's K-9 unit will be improved thanks to a $10,000 donation, officials announced.

The department recently purchased a bloodhound to assist with missing people and article searches, among other duties. The donation will be used to outfit the new handler's squad car with a cage and support the K-9 program's training and equipment, according to Chief Keith Cross.

"We value our partnerships around the city and look forward to using this money to continue to serve our residents and visitors," Cross said in a statement.

Police received the money Aug. 17 from 360 Hazardous Cleanup Company President Andrew Whitmarsh, who presented it during the business's inaugural "Top Dog" K-9 Fundraiser during National Police Week in May.

The event was held as a way for the company to show its support for law enforcement agencies and donate money to one winning police agency.

"Law enforcement is a significant aspect of our culture and operation here at 360, as we are responding to the same situations to help families in the community," Whitmarsh said in a statement. "We are thrilled our partners at Aurora PD [were] the winning agency to allocate the funds to further support their communities."

Officials said they will release more information about the new K-9 at a later time.