By Cynthia Haggitt
Officer K9 Jax
Training is constantly happening with police K9s who support police operations. The dogs and their handlers work together as a team to help find missing children and sometimes will help out in emergency situations that concern adults.
Just having a K9 present can prevent potentially volatile situations with suspects. Just as with their human counterparts, the first minutes after an emergency are the most crucial when an officer is making a life-saving decision.
“Deputy Justin Decker and K9 Jax were recently contacted about a suspicious fire in the area and after searching the area they came to realize that the man involved was suicidal,” Jersey County Sheriff Mike Ringhausen stated. “Decker and K9 Jax caught up with the guy after he took off and took him to an area hospital to receive treatment. Decker has done a great job handling Jax who is still very young. The dog is very impressive and all of his training has paid off.”
Ringhausen said he is very proud of his staff and the way they handle calls and emergency situations. He would like to remind people that these dogs are officers too, and they are following instructions from their handlers (police officers). They are doing their jobs and doing their part for the community they serve.
