The dogged pursuit by Ketchum's finest of a misplaced car with dogs in it has led to a cool quarter-million-dollar donation to the city.
Officers were just doing what they do—nothing out of the ordinary—when they helped a couple find their misplaced car with their dogs inside last June, said Ketchum Police Chief Cory Lyman. That happy couple was so gratified with the police response that they are giving the city $250,000. They wish, however, to remain anonymous.
In this case, as Lyman outlined it during an interview, officer Tony Atienza, 30, was contacted by the couple who told Atienza that they couldn't find their car and were concerned about their dogs that were inside.
It's not reported how long the search took, but the second-year veteran of the force found the vehicle and the dogs were OK. That same week Lyman got a note from the couple.
"They said this was 'really neat' and they wanted to do something for the Police Department," Lyman said.
Lyman told the couple that no reward was needed but if they wanted to do something to go through the mayor's office.
"Our officer responded and went the extra mile and helped them locate the vehicle," he said. "It was just a nice gesture on their part."
Lyman said the couple has an "interest in the community," when asked if the couple were from here.
The gift involved no expectations, he said.
The chief quoted the donor as saying, "'I really wanted to do it.'"
What officer Atienza did is standard procedure in this town, the chief said.
"We come if you have a squirrel in your office," Lyman said, adding that people losing their cars is common.
It's unknown exactly what the money will go for, and the donor is not restricting its use.
"We're not just going to buy bullets," Lyman said.
He said he would make suggestions to the City Council regarding what to do with the money.
"Any use of the money will go to help the community through a public safety function," he said.
Atienza's actions could well be noted.
"Certainly he will be recognized for doing a good job that he does all the time ... the whole community will benefit."
The city is expected to receive the $250,000 stock donation with a resolution during Monday's City Council meeting. A corporate account will be opened with CITI Smith Barney so the gift can be converted to cash and put in the city's general fund, said City Attorney Ben Worst.
For the city, the dog days of summer have morphed into the green days of August.
"I'm proud of Tony just going the extra mile," said a smiling Chief Lyman.
