Ellis County Sheriff’s Office recognizes Camryn’s K9s for ballistic vest donations

Submitted photo.

Ellis County Sheriff Johnny Brown (right) presented Camryn Samuel (left) with a plaque on Nov. 24, 2015 honoring her for raising funds to acquire ballistic vests for the Sheriff's Office two K9 units.

ELLIS COUNTY — The Ellis County Sheriff’s Office honored Camryn Samuel for her work in securing ballistic vests for its two K9 units, with a special presentation held during the Nov. 24 meeting of the Ellis County Commissioners Court. Presenting Camryn with a plaque in recognition of her efforts, Ellis County Sheriff Johnny Brown read from the plaque’s inscription:

"In honor of her selflessness and dedication to police service canines, this award is presented to Camryn’s K9s for her outstanding support of the Ellis County Sheriff's Office Canine Unit. Camryn, your donation of two ballistic vests will provide our dogs a measure of safety they would not have had if not for your efforts. You are a true champion for police service dogs and, on behalf of the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, we extend our gratitude and a heartfelt thank you for your support."

Camryn said the idea to equip police K9s with ballistic vests came about after her mom asked her on her 10th birthday if she’d like to donate money to a charity. After being unable to find a local nonprofit that did this, they reached out to the Cedar Hill Police Department. After learning that agency had two K9s in need of a vest, Camryn began raising the money to outfit both with the equipment. She said she was then challenged by members of the area K9 training group – which includes the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, Mansfield Police Department and Waxahachie Police Department, along with the Cedar Hill Police Department – to outfit each agency’s K9 units. A little over a year since she first started her project, Camryn has raised more than $8,000 and equipped all seven K9s in the area training group with ballistic vests.

Assisted by her parents Bobby and Kristen Samuel of Mansfield and sister Caitlyn, Camryn has held T-shirt sales and set out jars among other fundraising efforts. She says she plans to continue raising money and is working to identify other law enforcement agencies that have a K9 in need of a ballistic vest.

"Right now, I’m finished with all seven dogs (in the area K9 training group) and I hope to do a lot more," Camryn told the commissioners court.