Chris and Karra have helped out the local sheriff. This story appeared on the front page of the Rockport Pilot.

The Aransas County Sheriff's Office (ACSO) has a new deputy on staff, but he won't be recognized by a uniform or a badge. In addition, the latest staff member's hiring was made possible by the generosity of two local residents who are committed to the community. Deputy Flaco, a two-year-old Labrador, was purchased, and Investigator Lou Lourcey was sent to Somerset to train with him. The two are now ready to hit the streets and schools in Aransas County in an effort to abate the drug problem in the community. Chris and Karra Crowley, who moved to Aransas County from California in 2005, believed having a canine on staff would benefit the ACSO. Their belief and commitment was manifested by their $12,000 donation to the ACSO mounted posse. The funds were used to purchase the dog, as well as to convert a Ford F150 to carry the canine. Funds also will be used for food and veterinary care for Flaco. Sheriff Mark Gilliam explained the ACSO had just completed the 2008 budget process when the Crowleys approached the department about a canine unit. The sheriff said he did not want to ask the commissioners court for more funds, and that is when the Crowleys stepped up and offered the donation. C. Crowley said at first they talked about having a patrol/attack dog, but the ACSO was concerned about the liability. Crowley had no problem with the change to obtaining a drug dog instead. The sheriff pointed out patrol dogs are great, but with the large number of burglaries and forgeries directly linked to drugs, they believed acquiring a drug dog would be a better option. He also hopes this will help curb the drug problem in the schools by coordinating with the Aransas County Independent School District officers to conduct random searches. With that in mind, ACSO investigators opted for the labrador, which is a more friendly, playful dog, rather than using the more common German shepherd. The sheriff also said when seeking an investigator to take charge of the canine, he spoke to Lourcey first and asked if he would take the position. He explained the job doesn't end after an eight-hour shift as the canine officer has to take the dog home with him and care for him. Lourcey readily agreed and is enjoying the task immensely. The investigator, who has four grown children, said it is almost like having a child in the house again. Even his wife, who was skeptical at first, has taken to Flaco. Gilliam and Lourcey said they are ready to put Flaco to work not only during the execution of warrants, but for traffic stops, searches through local school campuses, and at the county's new weigh station. The care and maintenance of the new deputy is covered for the year due to the Crowleys and another $500 donation. The sheriff hopes through Flaco's work, drug seizures will occur which will net funding to continue paying for his upkeep, which in turn will help the ACSO put a dent in the local drug trade.