K9 TEAM

The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit was re-established in 2006. The current team is comprised of 3 dual-purpose dogs. All three dogs perform a detection function (such as narcotics) and a patrol function (such as tracking or apprehension work). K9 Rex and his handler, Sergeant Moser are assigned to the Patrol Division. K9 Bull is assigned to School Resource Deputy Worley and travels across Western Colorado and within Garfield County providing narcotic searches at schools (including searches for marijuana). K9 Aren and his handler, Investigator Korthals are assigned to the Special Problems Enforcement And Response (SPEAR) unit. In 2022, The K9’s participated in numerous public demonstrations, and won several awards at the High Desert Police K9 Association K9 Challenge.

In 2022, the K9’s were deployed 41 times. In total, the K9 team has seized or assisted in seizing a minimum of:

• 144.37 grams of Methamphetamine

• 10 grams of Heroin

• 11.2 grams of psilocybin mushrooms

• 30 grams of Fentanyl

• Several stolen firearms

• Numerous items of drug paraphernalia

The K9 team also assisted in 14 arrests of dangerous suspects.