NEWS RELEASE / August 16, 2023
RE: SHERIFF LARRY AMERSON SCHOOL SAFETY SCHOLARSHIP
The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office and Calhoun County Schools have partnered with Global K9 on the Paws on Patrol Program.
Paws on Patrol partners a school resource officer with a highly trained K9 to aid in the daily protection of children on their school’s campus. These K9’s are trained to detect weapons and
other dangerous substances in a non-disruptive manner while greeting and interacting with students.
Currently in our county schools, we have three SRO’s partnered with a Paws on Patrol K9. Recently, a partnership between the Alabama Sheriffs Association and Global K9 has expanded the
program state-wide. A featured component of the vital Paws on Patrol program is the Sheriff Larry Amerson Safety Scholarship, named in honor of Sheriff Larry Amerson who was the sheriff of Calhoun County for 22 years, President of the Alabama Sheriffs Association and the National Sheriffs Association.
In honor of Sheriff Amerson’s commitment to school safety, this scholarship recognizes his efforts to start the school resource officer program in Calhoun County and to enhance school safety on a state and national level.
Inaugural recipients of the Sheriff Larry Amerson School Safety Scholarship are Blount County Sheriff Mark Moon and Macon County Sheriff Andre Brunson. These sheriffs will be joining Calhoun County in utilizing K9s to protect the students in their local schools.
You are invited to attend an award luncheon that will be held Friday (August 18, 2023) at 11:30 a.m. at the “Classic on Noble” located at 1024 Noble Street, Anniston, Alabama 36201.
U.S. Congressman Mike Rogers, State Senator Keith Kelley, and other elected officials will be present to learn more about Paws on Patrol and the differenc that the K9 officers are making in schools across Alabama and the country.
Additionally, Sheriff’s Amerson’s widow – Lisa Amerson – who’s also a school board member – as well as Sheriff Amerson’s adult children also plan to attend.