Goshen Township Police Deparment

Local Woman Donates Money to Help With Goshen's K-9 Unit 

"I just heard the police car barking, and I thought, we don't have a K-9 unit in Goshen Township, do we?" Catherine Menke recalls first encounter with Goshen Township's K-9 unit, Officer Djim in October of 2007.

Officer Djim's partner, Officer Matt Bucksath, had pulled a car over and Officer Djim was making a lot of noise! "I was just out doing my job, and he was along for the ride, doing his job," Bucksath says.  

Menke says she called the police station the very next day to verify that her ears weren't deceiving her. That's when she found out there is indeed a K-9 unit here in Goshen.

Officer Djim is a 6-year-old Belgian Malinois and has been paired with Officer Bucksath since 2005.  He has assisted in seizing over $6000.00 in illicit narcotics and contributed to the arrest of over 230 criminal suspects during his time in Goshen Township.

Inspired by the relationship between officer and K-9, Catherine Menke was moved to action! She started e-mailing places as far away as the west coast to try and find out how to get a bulletproof vest for the K-9. When she had her answer, she called Officer Matt Bucksath.

"I didn't know what to think!" Officer Bucksath said, " Not many people get involved in the program."

Menke says she asked friends and family to skip birthday and Christmas gifts for her, instead asking them to offer donations to help officer Djim get a potentially life saving vest.  Menke says it took a long time to save up the $510 dollars needed to purchase the vest. But as soon as she had it, she called "Point Blank" in Anderson Township and placed the order. About a month and a half later, the vest arrived at the police station.

The vest is specially fitted specifically for Officer Djim, and serves as a bullet proof, blast proof shield that protects the K-9's vital organs. It's a piece of the uniform Catherine Menke feels is crucial, " Just because it's a 4 footed animal doesn't make him any less of an officer," she says of Officer Djim, " he's got a lot of responsibility. He's putting his life on the line all the time."

Officer Bucksath agrees saying, " He does more than people realize, he's always right there with me." Officer Djim plays a major roll in tracking suspects who try to run from police. He's also a major part of Goshen Township's drug force. It's an accomplishment Officer Bucksath is proud of, " We're here to stay. We're making a huge impact on drugs, and we're going to continue to make an impact on drugs here until they're gone."

Outside of work Officer Djim is Officer Bucksath's pet, friend, and companion. Bucksath says Djim is more laid back at home, apart from the high energy police K-9 you may see out on the streets. When asked if the old cliché 'dog is man's best friend' is true in this case, Officer Bucksath simply smiles and shakes his head yes.

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