A 19-month-old yellow Labrador Retriever is the newest member of the Burke County Sheriff’s Office.
Cooper has been trained in narcotics detection and tracking, according to the sheriff’s office.
K9s of Valor Foundation awarded the office with Cooper and is covering the cost of handler training, lodging for the handler, equipment for Cooper and other expenses totaling $25,000.
The sheriff’s office applied for the dog in January.
“This will greatly assist our agency and other surrounding agencies in the region that need assistance. Deputy Tyler May will travel the second week of April to Pacesetter K9, LLCs location and join Cooper where they will begin several weeks of training,” according to a statement from the sheriff’s office. “Deputy May and Cooper have also been offered the opportunity to go to Knoxville, Tenn. to train one on one with tracking expert Mike Lilley at MLK9. Cooper will be able to track and locate missing people in Burke County, assist deputies with locating narcotics, and assist other agencies in the region when asked.”
The donation signals the restart of Burke County’s K9 unit, according to the K9s of Valor Foundation
Cooper has been in training almost all his life.
“We are so proud of him and everyone who has made this possible,” according to a statement from the foundation.
The Georgia Police K9 Foundation donated a new insert and Hot n Pop Heat Alarm for May and Cooper’s new K9 vehicle.
