After sustaining injuries during the apprehension of a suspect in the city earlier this month, K9 Officer Mitchell of the Jamestown Police Department will be recognized as the City of Jamestown’s Christmas parade Grand Marshal. K9 Officer Mitchell, along with his handler Officer Eric Kraft, are being honored for helping keep the community safe. Their transportation in the parade is sponsored by Elite Kreation$ Auto Detailing.
K9 Officer Mitchell posed for a photo in 2015 for Matt Marsh of Marsh Photography.
The Gift Exchange Christmas Parade and Holiday Celebration, presented by The Resource Center, is scheduled for Friday, December 2, at 6:30 pm in downtown Jamestown.
“When our office staff met to discuss possible parade Grand Marshal candidates, the choice was clear,” said Edwin Rodriguez Jr., events and marketing associate for the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation. “We look to honor individuals who contribute to the community in a positive way, but there was no rule that said it had to be a person. We are very thankful to our city’s police force for what they do and we wanted to say thank you as best we could, ” said Rodriguez. As far as the parade records show, an animal has never received this recognition in the past.
K9 Officer Mitchell, a German Shepherd originally from Hungary, has been a part of the Jamestown Police Department since 2011. Before joining the police force full-time, K9 Officer Mitchell and Officer Kraft attended a 15-week training session and have been working together ever since. Weather permitting, the duo will lead the parade down Third Street along with their patrol car when the parade begins at approximately 6:30 pm.
Robert Reedy and his wife Debra, owners of Elite Kreation$ Auto Detailing, were very excited once they heard of the Grand Marshal selection.
“Our customers know how much we support the community. We also support the men, women, and animals who serve behind the badge and it will be a true honor to help transport K9 Officer Mitchell through the parade,” said Reedy. Known around town as the “Detail King,” Reedy is a United States Air Force veteran who returned to Jamestown after his service several years ago. Since then, his auto detailing business has grown and he uses his community influence to sponsor and donate to many Jamestown-area events including the city’s Christmas parade. The staff of Elite Kreation$ will be handing out hats and gloves to children in the Christmas parade while supplies last.
For more information about the Gift Exchange Christmas Parade and Holiday Celebration, click here.