FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…

Friday, December 18th, 2020

Sheriff Retires Veteran K9, “Swears In” New K9

Sheriff Mitch Ralston Reports:

Sheriff Ralston announced that today marked the last day of service for GCSO veteran K9 ‘EROS’, a specially trained canine asset at the Sheriff’s Office. EROS served for 5 years on patrol with his handler Deputy F.D. (Dale) Pullen. In honor of his service, EROS was the recipient of the Sheriff’s Drug Enforcement Award, an official commendation which reads in part that among EROS’ accomplishments was “being an ambassador of good will” at public K9 demonstrations and schools, and being responsible for hundreds of searches for drugs and subsequent arrests, as well as many successful ‘tracks’ resulting in the arrests of many fugitives and location of lost/missing persons.

As EROS enjoys a well deserved retirement, Sheriff Ralston ‘appointed’ GCSO’s newest addition, K9 ‘CZEK’. After weeks of intensive training at his home kennel where he was taught to search both for illegal drugs/narcotics and persons, CZEK was familiarized with his new handler, Deputy Pullen in Pennsylvania this week. CZEK is a Dutch Shepherd, a breed renowned for its abilities in law enforcement work. CZEK will be on patrol this afternoon.

The GCSO K9 program is funded by asset forfeitures from illegal drug cases.

PHOTOGRAPHS:  (Left) Deputy Dale Pullen (kneeling) EROS, Sergeant Jarod Powell…(Right) Deputy Pullen, CZEK, and Sergeant Powell