They are the real unsung heroes–all of them shepherds, five Belgian and one German.

Darzan’s K-9 scan helped in the arrest of the man who killed local Kenneth Walters in Lexington Park earlier this month; Sloeber went after the Food Lion robber; and just minutes after the Abell’s Tavern armed robbery last month, Yanic led the way to the two suspects whose names now surface on a list of the people who are barred from the bar.

These are just a few of the daily feats of the six “officers” of St. Mary’s K-9 Unit, that include Frigo, and two female K-9 officers, Kyra and Kailey. All of them are Belgian Shepherds, baring Frigo who is a German Shepherd.

From putting drug dealers out of business to being at the fore-front during SWAT operations like bomb threats at school, the six K-9s are among the first to put their lives in the line of duty, along, of course, with their dedicated handlers.

 “They are like husband and wife,” St. Mary’s Sheriff Tim Cameron told The Bay Net, about the strong bonding between the dogs and their human officers. Cameron ranks the K-9 Unit as one of the best in his force.

 
 Corporal Frank Fowler with Sloeber

“There’s nothing in police work I will be afraid to do with him by my side,” said Corporal Frank Fowler, head of the unit and a certified trainer, who partners with Sloeber. “Most times they need Sloeber, not me,” he added modestly.

Sloeber, age 8, was assigned to St. Mary’s Sheriff’s Office in 2003 after arriving here from Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina. He is a dual purpose K-9 officer trained in narcotics and patrol work. While not on duty, he is a well-respected member of Fowler’s family but lives outside the house in his kennel.

K-9 officer Frigo, age 5, is SDFC David Gerhardt’s second canine partner in the police force. Frigo is a certified patrol dog and is trained in building searches, tracking suspects, evidence recovery and all aspects of criminal apprehension. Frigo loves to go to work but he also enjoys spending time with the family, according to Gerhardt.

K-9 officer Yanic, age 6, is certified in patrol and narcotic detection and partners with DFC Edward Evans. He started his tour of duty with the St. Mary’s Sheriff’s Office in May 2004.

Like Sloeber, Yanic is unsocial to the general public, says Fowler. “You can’t clean up someone else’s mess,” Fowler said, adding the two seemed to have had some rough training in South Carolina.

According to experts, a Belgian Shepherd has to be trained with extreme care, or they can end up being extremely cocky, not unlike humans.

“Yanic keeps Evans straight,” jokes Fowler.

Fowler admits he wouldn’t let Sloeber out in public without a leash. He lifts his sleeves to show the bite marks he himself received during the training. “They are high maintenance dogs,” he said.

Fowler said in spite of their aggressive temperament, both