The long arm of the law in Southampton County has been lengthened thanks to the strong lines of fishing poles.

The Sheriff’s Office has a new officer in place: Kevar, a German Shepherd-Belgian Malinois cross.

Already he’s trained and on the job, ready to hunt down narcotics or even people, such as missing children, patients with dementia and yes, even criminals.

Kevar’s ready to put the bite on crime or nose around to help people in distress thanks to the generosity of the Christopher D. Ray Memorial Scholarship.

Named after the late sheriff’s deputy, the money comes from the popular fishing tournament, which takes place annually.

This year it’s on Saturday, June 17. Money from the event also aids a student studying toward earning a degree in public safety.

We hope more individuals or organizations will consider either donating to the scholarship or possibly directing resources to the sheriff’s office for needed equipment or personnel such as Kevar.

For more information on the Christopher Ray Memorial Scholarship, contact John Barksdale at 653-8341 or Daniel Vinson at 653-9322.

To donate to the foundation, make checks payable to John Barksdale (CDRMS Foundation), P.O. Box 382, Courtland, VA 23837.