BRISTOL, Va., July 22, 2026. Federal Pacific today announced a significant donation to the Bristol Virginia Police Department that will cover the purchase of an additional police K-9. As part of the partnership, Federal Pacific will have the opportunity to name the new K-9. The name will be announced at a later date.
The new K-9 will be trained primarily for suspect apprehension and explosives detection. The addition will provide the department with a dedicated explosives-detection capability while expanding the specialized resources available to support officers and protect the community.
“Federal Pacific has called Bristol home since 1958, and we are proud to support the people who work every day to keep our community safe,” said Howard Broadfoot, President of Federal Pacific. “This donation is an investment in public safety and in the strong local partnerships that make Bristol a better place to live, work, and raise a family. We look forward to welcoming the new K-9 to the department and the community.”
The department currently operates one K-9 team: K-9 Fanta and handler Officer Dustin Widener. Officer Sizemore has been selected to serve as the new K-9’s handler. Together, the two teams will provide broader coverage and allow the department to respond to a wider range of law enforcement and public safety needs.
“Federal Pacific’s generosity will help us add a highly specialized explosives-detection capability and strengthen our ability to respond to critical incidents,” said D. Byron Ashbrook, Chief of Police. “The new K-9 and Officer Sizemore will provide an important additional resource for our officers, the Bristol community, and our public safety partners. We are grateful for Federal Pacific’s partnership and support of our K-9 program.”
Federal Pacific’s donation will cover the cost of purchasing the new dog. Additional funding will support the specialized training and equipment needed to prepare the new K-9 team for service.