Richmond Police Department’s newest K-9 is Bane.

VFW Post 1108 contributed $30,000 for RPD to purchase Bane from Ultimate Canine in Westfield, where Bane and partner Officer Jacob Wolfal underwent training. 

Bane is trained in locating narcotics, tracking missing and endangered people, searching for articles and evidence, and finding suspects, according to a news release.

Richmond Police Department K-9 Bane works during training. Supplied

In addition to adding Bane to the department, RPD recently hired Officer Austin Legear.

Legear’s father, RPD Det. Tom Legear, pinned on his badge after Austin Legear took his oath. 

New Richmond Police Department Officer Austin Legear receives his badge from his father, RPD Det. Tom Legear. Supplied

RPD recently honored Officer JP Allen as its Officer of the Quarter for the year’s third quarter.

Allen was honored for his professionalism, calmness under pressure and respect for everyone he contacts, according to a news release.

Officer JP Allen

Burton Foundation

The K-9 Officer Seara Burton Foundation is donating funds toward Fayette County Sheriff’s Department’s next K-9.

Deputy Pat Mollaun will partner with the K-9, according to a release. 

Burton was an RPD K-9 officer when she was shot in the line of duty and later died from her injuries in 2022.

Sheriff’s office

Capt. Jason Wysong, commander of Wayne County’s jail recently graduated from the West Point Leadership Program.

Forty Indiana public-safety leaders completed the nationally recognized program through the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association and the National Command & Staff College, according to a release. The training applies leadership principles to modern policing and supervisory practice.

In addition, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office recently swore in Patrolman Shaun Tudor.

911 honor

Sarah Purcell of the Wayne County Emergency Communications Center was recently named the state’s Supervisor of the Year during the Indiana 911 Professionals Conference.

The honor recognizes leadership, dedication and commitment to excellence. According to a release, Purcell goes above and beyond to support her team, ensures calls are handled with professionalism and provides the highest level of service to the county’s residents and first responders.

Purcell has worked in the county’s 911 center for more than 25 years.

Sarah Purcell (center) was honored as Indiana’s Supervisor of the Year among 911 professionals. She is pictured with Matthew Cain, the local director, and Erin Campbell, the assistant director. Supplied
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A version of this article appeared in the December 3 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.