From the Office of DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden:

FORT PAYNE, Ala. - Monday, May 20, 2024, during the Kilpatrick Fire Department meeting, a retired DeKalb County Sheriff's Office cruiser was signed over to the Kilpatrick Fire Department to be put back into service by them.

After being contacted by Kilpatrick Fire asking for assistance to better serve their community, Sheriff Nick Welden and Commission President Ricky Harcrow put together a plan and took a DeKalb County Sheriff's Office cruiser that was being retired and placed it into the ownership of Kilpatrick Fire Department.

DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said of the incident: "I'm glad we could help such a helpful Department and be some small part in better serving the community in a way that is not just law enforcement."

"The fire chief contacted me stating that they needed help and that they were having to respond to calls in a large van style vehicle or a personal vehicle and it just wasn't efficient and needed something else to better serve their community.  That is when I reached out to Commission President Harcrow and he was glad to help.  We signed over a DeKalb County Sheriff's Office Tahoe so the men and women of Kilpatrick Fire can do their job in a manner that is safer and more out to suit the citizen's needs."

"Most people don't understand that these Volunteer Fire Departments, such as Kilpatrick, struggle to receive funds and assistance, so this is huge for their department and community."

"Thank you, Kilpatrick Fire Department and ALL fire departments for caring so much about your communities and willing to serve.  And us at DeKalb County Sheriff's Office and the DeKalb County Commission are always willing to help if we can."

"God Bless!" Concluded Sheriff Welden.