The Knoxville Police Department received a donation of $15,000 toward the effort to purchase a police canine. Carole Rowland’s nephew Chris Rowland is a long-time member of the department, and was the handler of the department’s previous canine. She says that she felt the need to support her community in what she thought was a worthy cause.

“This is just one way that I can give back to my hometown. It’s something I wondered after Knox passed and retired, if they were going to get another one, and if so, when. And I think budget constraints kept them back for a little bit, and then there’s probably some analysis as to whether the need was there. But I’m just glad now that they are doing it.”

Rowland, a veteran, presented the check in a ceremony outside the police department on Wednesday morning. A complete interview with Rowland can be heard on today’s Let’s Talk Knoxville.