Country star surprises Harrison girl who raised funds for police dog — buys the K-9 for Tarentum himself

Two songs into a concert Friday night to raise money so Tarentum could acquire a police dog, country music star Brian Kelley summoned to the stage the young girl from Harrison who had spearheaded the benefit.

That’s when things really got interesting.

After all, Kaley Bastine, 12, her parents and 1,000 other spectators had come to No Offseason Sports’ outdoor entertainment venue in West Deer believing their presence would help secure a K-9 for Tarentum’s police department — but only at some point in the future.

The singer, though, had something else in mind.

Kelley purchased the dog himself and had it brought onto the stage to meet the startled girl, who has become known across the Alle-Kiski Valley for coordinating fundraisers for local police departments.

“I didn’t want to show up tonight without something a little extra special to get a head start on this goal,” Kelley told Kaley as her mother, who was also onstage, looked on. “This is my gift to you and your gift to them (the Tarentum Police Department).

“Because of your hard work and the person that you are, the heart that you have … I wanted to pay it forward to you so you can give this to your local police department for the security and safety of this community.”

He told Kaley he is proud of her.

“You’re a leader — a natural born leader. Don’t let anybody ever tell you you can’t do something,” Kelley said. “Look what you’ve done tonight.”

Kaley recalled the moment the 18-month-old German shepherd appeared onstage with its handler from Richmond, Ind., who brought the K-9 to West Deer.

“I felt like I was going to pass out,” she said.

The crowd erupted into cheers.

During an interview with TribLive on Saturday afternoon, Kaley and her mother, Jamie, were still processing what occurred in those moments onstage, and when the singer brought them backstage.

It’s one thing to agree to perform for the cause, said Jamie Bastine. What Kelley did is in a whole different league.

“He has a heart of gold,” she said.

Kelley, previously half of the duo Florida Georgia Line, had 19 No. 1 songs. He has embarked on a solo career, releasing his latest single, “Make America Great Again,” only weeks ago.

His purchase of the dog shifts the focus of Kaley’s Kops, the organization the Bastines have set up, to training and equipping Tarentum’s police department with a K-9 vehicle.

Tarentum Council President Scott Dadowski hailed what he called “a generous and unexpected gesture.” He also praised the community’s enthusiasm and support.

“We are now actively working through the logistics with all involved parties to ensure we can responsibly and effectively integrate a K-9 unit into our police department,” he said. “This includes discussions with the individuals and organizations involved to clarify plans and funding commitments.”

“We will continue to keep the community informed as we work through these details,” Dadowski said.

Tarentum police Chief William Vakulick could not immediately be reached for comment. Efforts to contact Tarentum Mayor Bob Lang also were unsuccessful.

Kaley, who will enter seventh grade this year at Highlands Middle School in Harrison, gave Kelley a gift of a mug with an image of a bass on it, since he likes to fish, and a mug with seashells on it for his wife, Brittney. Kaley also gave them each a T-shirt and bracelet from Kaley’s Kops.

How a big-name country music artist came to involve himself in efforts to secure a police dog for Tarentum dates to an approach on Instagram by Kaley and her mom, Jamie.

Jamie on Saturday marveled at what transpired in West Deer.

It all flowed, she said, from “one little message back in April on Instagram.”