K-9 “Deputy Liberty” introduced by Liberty Bank and Hinds County Sheriff

Handler Darrell Thornton is pictured with K-9 Deputy Liberty (2nd from right). Also pictured from left to right: Hinds County Sheriff Tyrone Lewis, Socrates Garrett, and Regional VP for Liberty Bank Carlton Stephen (right).

The Mississippi Link Newswire

Handler Darrell Thornton is pictured with K-9 Deputy Liberty (2nd from right). Also pictured from left to right: Hinds County Sheriff Tyrone Lewis, Socrates Garrett, and Regional VP for Liberty Bank Carlton Stephen (right).

Liberty Bank and the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department are co-sponsoring a swearing in ceremony for the “newest deputy” Thursday, Nov. 29, at 11:30 a.m., adding another crime-fighting component to Hinds County.

The newest addition to aid the deputies is a K-9 named “Deputy Liberty.” As a Hinds County employee, Deputy Liberty has the same benefits of all full time employees. His addition was made possible by generous support from Liberty Bank.

Liberty Bank is among the third largest African American owned financial institutions in the United States and prides itself on community involvement. “This is another example of our commitment to this community. We are exercising our belief in being good neighbors,” said Alden McDonald, president and CEO of Liberty Bank.

“Thanks to our staff in Hinds County, we are hopeful that this is just the beginning of a long term relationship as we continue our support of community development through promoting entrepreneurship, supporting civic organizations and empowering businesses and individuals,” said McDonald.

Carlton Stephen, Liberty Bank vice president, said, “Liberty Bank is proud of its relationship with Hinds County and all governmental agencies in Mississippi. This public-private sponsorship of Officer Liberty is our unique way of exercising our corporate social policy.

“We are supportive of the efforts of Sheriff Tyrone Lewis and the entire Hinds County Sheriff’s Department. We are delighted to participate in making our streets safe and improving the quality of life for our citizens,” said Stephen.

Sheriff Lewis said, “We want to make all the citizens of Hinds County feel safe, and we want to make sure we retain businesses in our county as well as attract new ones. One of the ways to get this done is with crime fighting tools that will rid our streets of drugs and keep our youth out of harm’s way.

“I am excited about this partnership and grateful that Mr. Stephen and his staff collaborated with us, because together ‘we can do better.’”