Courtesy of K9s4cops

The Grand Saline Police Department soon will be adding a new member to the department, a K-9 officer donated by an NFL football player and University of Texas alumnus. 

Brian Robison, a Minnesota Vikings defensive end and a member of UT’s national championship team in 2005, and his wife, Jayme, have funded the donation for a trained narcotics and tracking dog.

A news release from the Texas-based nonprofit K9s4COPs said the Robinsons made the donation for the K-9 through their Reel ‘Em In Foundation. 

The dual-purpose narcotics and tracking dog will be certified by Houston K9 Academy and partnered with a handler from the Grand Saline Police Department.

The Robisons created the Reel ‘Em In Foundation to positively impact those in law enforcement in Minnesota and his native state of Texas.

Brian Robinson draws his inspiration from his father, Jimmy Robison, a retired Houston Police Department officer who served the department for 30 years, according to the news release.

The Reel ‘Em In Foundation has dedicated its resources and celebrity to raising funds and awareness for K9s4COPs for over two years.

The foundation has two marquee fishing tournaments — one at Sam Rayburn Reservoir March 28-31 and another in Wabasha, Minnesota, June 15-17.

“The Reel ‘Em In Foundation’s mission is to positively impact those in need through partnerships with outstanding organizations like K9s4COPs in communities and schools,” Brian Robison said in the news release. “I am honored to give back to the city of Grand Saline, Texas.”

The cost of a law enforcement K-9 ranges from $15,000 all the way to a specialized K-9 that can cost more than $25,000. 

To date K9s4COPs has granted nearly 200 K-9s to law enforcement agencies and schools in the U.S. and one K-9 in France.