The Goodhue County Sheriff's Office currently has 2 police K-9s. The police dogs are usually German Shepherds or Belgian Malinois and are imported from the eastern Europe. Handlers are Sergeant Mike Ayres with K9 Halo, and Deputy Matthew Garrick with K9 Yoda, they are certified as K-9 patrol teams.
The K9s have many skills that make them a valuable tool for law enforcement.
The K-9s are considered a Deputy Sheriff and have their own equipment issued by the Department. They have special patrol cars that are set up to ensure K-9 safety and comfort. The patrol car has its windows tinted to help minimize the heat; it also has a temperature alarm that lowers the windows and sounds the horn if the interior temperature gets too high.
The patrol car has a special cage built into it for K-9s; it has a rubber mat and is ergonomically designed for comfort and safety. The cage has a water dish that allows the K-9 to stay hydrated throughout his shift. The patrol car also has additional lights on it to maximize its visibility.
The Goodhue County Sheriff's Office K-9 program is committed to serving its community and providing the highest quality of service to its citizens. If you wish to have a demonstration, feel free to contact Major Mike Johnson at 651-267-2655.
