The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office will soon have a new officer joining the ranks.

He has roots in Germany, received his training in Bethany, Conn., and has already been nicknamed John Wayne.

He also has four legs and a tail; and at 13 months old, he's the youngest officer on the squad.

On June 18, the Lincoln County Commissioners gave the Sheriff's Office the go-ahead to withdraw $7,000 from the Heidi Fund to purchase Duke, a German shepherd to replace Chance, who has since retired.

“That's a very good price; we looked at some dogs in Bangor that would have cost $8,600,” Major Ken Mason said. “(Duke) looks very much like Olga, who's paired with Deputy Brent Barter.”

Duke is paired up with Deputy Kevin Dennison at the Sheriff's Office.

The Heidi Fund was established in 1994 to assist the office with purchasing new dogs.

Other news

The commissioners approved, 3-0, $1,210 for improvements at the Lincoln County EMA supervisor's office.

The Lincoln County EMA received a grant from the Maine Municipal Association for $2,000 to help refurbish space to bring the total cost to $3,210.

Director Tod Hartung said that when the supervisor's office was constructed in 1998 it was built for one person. Four people currently use the space.

“Right now, we're bursting at the seams,” Hartung said.

Ben Bulkeley can be reached t 207-633-4620 or benbulkeley@boothbayregister.com. Follow him on Twitter: @BBRegisterBen.