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By JULIA ROBERTS GOAD

Staff Writer

GOODY, Ky. - Kawasaki and Hatfield-McCoy Power Sports donated an ATV to the Williamson Police Department as part of Kawasaki’s Side x Side Vehicle User Relations program.

The vehicle is a 2012 Tyrex 75 LE Edition, valued at $11,699.

The User Relations Program furnishes public safety agencies to receive ATV’s for law enforcement, education, life saving and search and rescue activities.

The WPD can turn the vehicle in once a year for a new ATV, Hatfield-McCoy Power Sports General Manager, Smokey Armstrong, said.

Armstrong said each Kawasaki dealership can choose four agencies to donate the ATV’s to, Hatfield-McCoy will give their next vehicle to the Chattaroy Volunteer Fire Department.

Williamson Mayor Darrin McCormick expressed appreciation for Hatfield-McCoy owner Michael Ratz.

“In addition to Hatfield-McCoy, the Ratz family owns Logan Motorcycle Sales here in the city,” McCormick said. “I want to recognize and compliment their commitment to the city and the Tug Valley. They have faith in us, and invest right here at home.”

Logan Motorcycle sales suffered some thefts at their warehouse in Williamson in November of last year. Seven vehicles, five motorcycles and two ATV’s, worth between $30,000 and $50,000, were taken. To date four of the stolen vehicles have been recovered by the WPD.

“We want to commend the Williamson Department for their acting so quickly in the thefts,” Armstrong said. “They acted professionally.”

Williamson Police Chief C.D. Rockel said the ATV is a great addition to the department.

“This is a great thing they did,” Rockel said. “We can use it for special events when we can’t get a cruiser through town as well as to get to people who need help when there is snow on the ground.”

The chief said the vehicle will also be used to help riders on the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System.

McCormick also commended WPD Patrolman John Hall for his help in working to obtain the ATV for the police department.