Gulf Shores Police Department (GSPD) has a new officer joining their team from the Czech Republic: four-legged, 2-year-old K9 Jango the German Sheppard.

GSPD purchased Jango with a $12,000 donation from Statia Moody, a Gulf Shores resident who died last December, which she left in her will through the Sebo Family Trust. Jango is replacing a recently retired GSPD K9, Darlin'.

According to a Facebook post from the city, Darlin' served for eight years at GSPD working with Sgt. Stacy McElroy. Darlin' worked in detecting narcotics within the city and helped to find and remove 159 pounds of meth, 171 pounds of cocaine, 93.5 pounds of marijuana, 5.5 pounds of heroin and over $1.8 million in illegal cash.

Lt. Josh Hoguet with GSPD said Jango will be learning the ropes at the Escambia County Sheriff's Office K9 training facility "for the next few months." Even with 480 hours of training required, the training comes at no expense to GSPD, Hoguet said. Jango's officer partner, Officer Gabe Trujillo, is also undergoing training for the next few months.

"K9 Jango will be trained for dual purpose in narcotics detection and patrol work — suspect tracking and apprehension, evidence searches, building searches and area searches," Hoguet said. "Once training is completed, K9 Jango and Officer Trujillo will return to patrol where they will begin their career together."

Hoguet said officers and various Gulf Shores city employees embraced the new K9 as "he quickly became popular," especially since he was "purchased from a local donation." Hoguet said the story of Moody's donation has had "the greatest reaction" from the community.

Since no one had ever donated a new K9 before at GSPD, Hoguet said the act "raised a lot of questions" when he first got the call. After confirming with Moody's husband and her friend who called GSPD about the donation, it was clear to the police team this was a "wonderful act from a member of our community" who decided to "give back to the area she loved."

In a letter Hoguet wrote to thank the Sebo Family Trust he said, "Statia was involved in many activities and really had a passion for animals. Prior to her passing, Statia expressed her interest in providing back to her community that she loved. Statia specifically wanted to honor the Gulf Shores Police Department because of the safety they provide."