First Farmers Bank & Trust Supports Fairmount Police K9 Unit with Community Donation

First Farmers Bank & Trust Supports Fairmount Police K9 Unit with Community Donation


CONVERSE, Ind. (July 16, 2025) — First Farmers Bank & Trust is proud to support the Fairmount Police Department’s K9 Unit with a community donation that will help provide critical equipment for K9 Ruger, the department’s newest addition.

The donation will assist with the purchase of a K9 Heat Alarm System and a Garmin Pro 550 training system—two essential tools that enhance safety and communication between the handler and the K9 officer. These items ensure the welfare of K9 Ruger while also allowing Officer Trevor Brane to operate more efficiently in the field.

“We are honored to support our local law enforcement, especially an initiative like this that combines community service with animal rescue,” said Debbie Strout, Fairmount Branch Manager at First Farmers Bank & Trust. “It’s inspiring to see the bond between Officer Brane and K9 Ruger and the impact they’re already having in Fairmount.”

K9 Ruger, a former shelter dog, was selected through Redemption Ranch K9—a program that transforms rescue animals into certified police K9s. Officer Brane, who has served the Fairmount Police Department for three years, has long aspired to become a K9 officer and now partners with Ruger to perform narcotics detection, evidence recovery, and community outreach.

“We’re grateful to First Farmers Bank & Trust for believing in our mission,” said Officer Brane. “Their generosity directly supports our ability to serve and protect the residents of Fairmount.”
Pictured at the Fairmount branch are Ashley Freshwater, VP Director of Retail Sales & Leadership; Annette Massey, Fairmount Teller; Debbie Shrout, Fairmount Branch Manager; Fairmount Police Officer Trevor Brane with K9 Ruger; and Fairmount Police Chief Richard Dollar.

To learn more about First Farmers Bank & Trust, visit www.ffbt.com or find First Farmers on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

About First Farmers Bank & Trust | First Farmers Financial Corp. 
First Farmers Financial Corp. is a $3.3 billion financial holding company headquartered in Converse, Indiana. First Farmers Bank & Trust has offices throughout Boone, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Grant, Hamilton, Howard, Huntington, Madison, Marshall, Miami, Starke, Sullivan, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Vigo and Wabash counties in Indiana and offices in Coles, Edgar, and Vermilion counties in Illinois. First Farmers Financial Corp is traded on the OTC Markets Group, Inc. "OTCQX" exchange under the ticker symbol: FFMR. Member FDIC.