Police therapy dog named in memory of war hero Bennie Adkins of Opelika, Opelika Auburn News, May 28, 2022

‘His memory continues to live on’

Police therapy dog named in memory of war hero Bennie Adkins of Opelika

By Lauren Johnson, Opelika Auburn News

Memorial Day is a time to remember heroes. Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie Adkins fit that description, and more than two years after his death, his legacy continues to grow.

On April 17, 2020, the Medal of Honor recipient passed away at the age of 86 and was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery next to his wife Mary.

Earlier this month, the police department in York, Pennsylvania, held a swearing-in ceremony for a police dog named after Adkins.

K9 Bennie, a Labrador retriever, will partner with Sgt. John Huncher, a combat veteran who served in Afghanistan. Their mission is to visit schools and the local hospital, interact with York residents and improve officer wellness.

Naming a police dog after Adkins is a fitting tribute to the Vietnam soldier who was sworn in as a Lee County deputy and buried with his badge. Read the story.