On September 30, 2011 Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron welcomed the latest canine teams to the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. The three new canine teams are DFC Michael George, teamed with Yogi, a patrol and narcotics detection canine; DFC Jason Graves, teamed with Tuun, a patrol and narcotics detection canine; and Deputy Heath Adams, teamed with Nero, also trained as a patrol and narcotics detection canine.
These deputies, along with Seat Pleasant Police Officer, PFC Jose Perez and canine Sadi, an article search and narcotics detection canine, completed a sixteen week entry level canine course which resulted in the canine teams receiving their initial certification in patrol, narcotics and/or explosive detection.
The new canine teams will join Corporal Todd L. Fleenor who is the supervisor and canine trainer of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office canine teams. Cpl. Fleenor is teamed with two canines. Kendo who is trained in patrol and explosive detection and canine Cooper who is a Bloodhound trained in tracking. Also assigned to the St. Mary’s Canine Unit is Corporal William Rishel. Cpl. Rishel is also partnered with two canines. Canine Noro is trained patrol and narcotics detection and canine Mike who is trained in explosive detection.
“These highly skilled, dedicated canine teams provide an important service to our overall law enforcement mission. The teams have the capability of tracking and apprehending fleeing individuals, they locate missing persons, can detect explosives and recover lost/stolen property and/or evidence. In addition, our teams perform canine demonstrations and provide educational assistance to local schools and civic organizations. We are very proud of our Canine Unit and look forward to deploying our new teams.” (Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron)
