We all know that dogs are a man’s best friend, but at the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office they play a much larger role. The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit was originally formed in the 1990’s. It was initially comprised of a dual purpose German Shepherd, K9 Kelo, handled by Commander Bill Middleton. Upon Kelo’s retirement the K9 unit was disbanded.

In In 2006 the K9 unit was re-formed and expanded to include two dual purpose patrol dogs, capable of effecting arrests of fleeing fugitives and tracking suspects, or lost persons. The dogs were also able to locate evidence that had been discarded as well as locating illicit narcotics that had been concealed in vehicles and residences. In January 2009 the K9 unit was again expanded with two more dual purpose dog teams. Coupled with the ever present threat of terrorism and several bomb threats throughout 2009, the Sheriff’s Office K9 unit welcomed a new team consisting of an explosive detection K9, K9 Blitz who is now Retired. In late 2010 one of the original dogs that had started in 2006 retired due to some health issues (K9 Drogen). In October of 2010 the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office added its newest dog to its K9 team (K9 Cio), another dual purpose dog teamed with a trained handler. These four dogs have since been retired after serving our community and four new K9’s have taken their place.

Currently the K9 Unit consists of three K9 teams, (a handler and a dog), which is overseen by the K9 Unit Sergeant, and assisted by a K9 master trainer.

The teams are (from left to right):

Investigator Korthals & K9 Aren; Corporal Worley & K9 Bull; and Sergeant Moser & K9 Rex

The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office annually certifies its K9 teams to the standards set forth by the Colorado Police Canine Association and/or the High Desert Police K9 Association.

The K9 Unit is a tremendous asset to the department’s work in narcotics interdiction, fugitive investigation, and locating evidence and lost articles. The unit routinely works with the School Resource Officers throughout the county and western Colorado, as well as public demonstrations at community events. In addition to assisting patrol deputies in day to day operations the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office regularly works with and assists SPEAR (Special Problems Enforcement and Response), the Colorado State Patrol, and the various municipal agencies throughout Garfield County.

The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit is extremely grateful to community members who allow us to train in the various rural and urban settings that we routinely use.