Nov. 1, 2019- The Haywood County Sheriff’s Office’s newest K9 deputy “Kilo” is officially part of the law enforcement family.
Friday, November 1, 2019, Sergeant Matthew Trantham and Kilo completed a 10-week handler certification course after Kilo passed the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) detection and tracking course (held in August).
“Since July I’ve been working on one of my dreams since I was in high school- being a K9 handler,” said Sergeant Trantham.
In July of 2018, Ken Thomas and Carol Rogers Thomas donated the German Shepherd to the office.
“This process has changed my life. Through many hours of hard work, a lot of help from my wife and guidance from my K9 handler friends along the way, we have made it. It is a gratifying moment now knowing all the hard work has finally paid off.”
Sheriff Greg Christopher said he is extremely proud of the perseverance Sergeant Trantham showed during this process.
“K9 teams are extremely valuable in this line of work- from narcotics detection, to finding someone who is lost or finding a person avoiding apprehension,” said Sheriff Christopher. “Sergeant Trantham currently supervises one of our Criminal Suppression Unit teams and this new endeavor will make him an even more skillful law enforcement officer for Haywood County.”
