Active K9 Teams

K9 Archer is an 8-year-old German Shepherd from the Czech Republic. He has been serving the Mills Police Department with Corporal Acord for 4.5 years. He is a dual-purpose dog, certified in tracking, narcotics detection, and patrol. During his career, K9 Archer has assisted with the seizure of approximately 6 pounds of narcotics, around $35,000 in cash, numerous firearms, and over $300,000-worth of drug paraphernalia. K9 Archer has also assisted in the apprehension of several felons and the arrest of over 65 suspects.

K9 Aren is a 3-year-old German Shepherd. Tony and K9 Aren have been on the road together for about 2 years. K9 Aren is certified in narcotics detection as well patrol work. He has assisted with seizing numerous amounts of illegal narcotics as well as money connected to illegal narcotics distribution. K9 Aren enjoys playing with all the toys, including loose socks he picks up on the way out the door to head to work.

Corporal Grant Laehr has been a patrol officer for just over 9 Years, all of that time with the City of Craig. In 2020 Corporal Laehr had the privilege of becoming a K9 officer. His partner, K9 Bane (Slavic for “Glorious Defender”), is a 2 ½ year old German Shepherd currently trained in illegal drug detection. Bane has just begun to enter the world of patrol work; tracking and apprehension, and they hope to be certified in 2022. Working as a K9 team has proven to be one of the most rewarding ventures Corporal Laehr done as a police officer. He looks forward many years of serving his community with Bane.

Beno is a German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois cross from Slovakia. Beno just turned three years old on April 20th. Beno is a dual-purpose K9 trained in the following areas: patrol, narcotics, tracking/trailing, and article searches. Beno became a member of the Gunnison Police Department in November of 2019 and was partnered with Officer Isham who has been with the department for 8 years. Officer Isham had no prior experience as a K9 handler and Beno is his first K9 partner. Together, Officer Isham and Beno completed two months of training at Right Hand K9 in Utah. Beno’s first year on the road was unique due to the pandemic of 2020. During Beno’s first year on the road, he was able to assist with numerous calls, but his highlight reel includes the following: Beno was able to certify in narcotics with the CPCA, he assisted the Gunnison Police Department and surrounding agencies in seizing nearly $70,000 in illegal drugs, 5 stolen or illegal guns, $6,700 in cash, and he was able to locate 1 intoxicated individual who had passed out in a field after making suicidal statements to his friends. Beno loves training and playing with his toys. Officer Isham and Beno are anxious to see what the future has in store for them.

Bull is a bundle of energy. He is a 4-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer. After a successful, although short, career as a bird hunting dog, Bull was selected to become a police K9, and boy does he love it. He is currently a narcotics and tracking dog and is one of the last K9s still certified in marijuana in the state. Bull works with his handler at Coal Ridge High School and is also being taught to detect vape pens. Bull loves his handler, his job, to sing along with Carrie Underwood on the radio, and McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets. If you see him do not hesitate to come say hi.

K9 Danny is a 7-year-old German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois mix and a dual-purpose patrol/narcotics police K9. Danny is assigned to and works with Sergeant Nathan Opsahl. Sgt Opsahl and K9 Danny have been working together since 2015. K9 Danny likes going for swims, playing ball, being sassy, and barking on the radio. K9 Danny has a strong dislike for suspects that have the intent to cause havoc on the fine citizens of Grand County.

K9 Jocko and Deputy Savage have been together since March 2020. K9 Jocko is 23 months old. K9 Jocko, while working for Montrose County Sheriff’s Office, has also had the opportunity to work alongside the 7th Judicial Drug Task Force, High Impact Team, Montrose Police Department, Colorado State Troopers, San Miguel County, and Delta County. K9 Jocko is trained in the detection of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and MDMA (ecstasy). He is trained in tracking to include area searches, tracking and trailing. He loves to work and train and does not like giving up his Kong toy during training days. K9 Jocko usually carries around two toys at a time when he is not working and he loves playing catch, chewing on his toys, and curling up with his woobie.

Makai is a floppy-eared, 3-year-old chocolate lab. He is a narcotics detection and tracking K9 for Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office. Makai and his handler, Deputy Garrett Duncan, have been a team since Makai was 8 weeks old. Makai spends his days at work with Deputy Duncan or playing outside with his other four-legged counterparts, Hawi (Haa-Vee) and Taco. Makai loves hitting the road to work and visit with everyone he meets!

Deputy Matt Gronbeck began his career with the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) in 2000. In 2002, Deputy Gronbeck was hired by the Glenwood Springs Police Department (GSPD), serving as a Detective for nearly 10 years until promoting to Sergeant and supervising a patrol shift. In 2020, Deputy Gronbeck returned to the GCSO where he was assigned to the K9 Unit, something Deputy Gronbeck has wanted to do his entire career, and taking over as handler for K9 Messi. Deputy Gronbeck attended canine handler school with Messi in Ogden, Utah, and the team hold certifications in Tracking, Narcotics, and Patrol through High Desert Police K9 Association. Deputy Gronbeck and K9 Messi currently work as a K9 Team for the GCSO Patrol Division.

Messi is a black German Shepherd imported from Slovakia, and is named after Argentine professional footballer Lionel Messi. Messi has assisted with tracking and apprehending criminals as well as locating illegal narcotics. When Messi is off-duty he enjoys relaxing on the sun deck in his backyard or enjoying the toys and treats that come in his monthly Bark Box. Messi lives to work though and if it were possible he would work 7 days a week serving the people of Garfield County.

K9 Milo is a 4-year-old German Shepherd from the Czech Republic. He is dual-purpose patrol and narcotics police K9. Milo is handled by Deputy DJ Elthorp and the two have been together for 3 years at the Grand County Sheriff’s Office. Milo loves playing at home with the family German Shepard and with the cat. Milo is a calm and quiet dog until it is time to work or when a tennis ball is involved.

Jake and Murray, formally known as Havoc, met in spring of 2017. After six weeks in a hotel in Denver, the dog now known as Murray, decided to take Jake home to Routt County. Murray took Jake under his snout to fight crime in the rural streets of their vast county. Their favorite things to do on the job are for Murray to ask Jake to stop for them to pee, walk circles in the back of the cop car, sniff vehicles, the occasional area search, and extra patrol at the local dog park. When Murray grows up, he would like to be a rodeo clown. When Jake grows up, he would like to be a hobby farmer. In closing, Murray would like it to be known, he IS a good BOY!

Odin is a 4 year old Belgian Malinois. Odin has been with Sgt. Nate Baker since he was 6 weeks old, and has been working for the Moffat County Sheriffs Office since 2019. Odin is trained in narcotics detection and patrol.  Odin loves hanging out at home and playing with his squeeky toys!

Rex is a four-year-old German shepherd. Rex and his handler, Corporal Thomas Moser, have been partners since January of 2019. Corporal Moser and Rex are certified as a team in narcotics detection, patrol work, and tracking. Rex loves to train and always knows when it is time to work. Rex is very calm when he is riding around in the patrol vehicle but as soon as the door opens, he is a ball of energy. On his days off, Rex enjoys running around the yard, playing fetch, and swimming when it is hot out. Rex is always ready to get back to work, as he would rather work than do anything else.

K9 Te Kā is a one year old german shepherd and the niece of K9 Talu. She is trained in apprehension, tracking and working on narcotics detection. K9 Te Kā currently works at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction for staff protection. K9 Te Kā has been with Kenyon since she was a puppy. Kenyon has been decoying for K9 teams across the state for the last 10 years and Te Kā is his first K9. K9 Te Kā loves to run with her best friend Umi and play with all the toys.

Teg, short for Integrity, is a 2 ½-year-old Shepherd from Slovakia via Right Hand K9 in West Haven, Utah. He is certified in narcotics, tracking, and patrol. Teg and Sgt. Sanders have been a team since April 2020 and have already made a huge impact on illegal narcotics in all areas of Delta County. Sgt. Sanders is the President of High Desert Police K9 Association and a member, certifying official, and instructor with the National Police Canine Association. Sgt. Sanders has been a handler for 17 years and is currently handling his 4th Police K9.

Tigo is a 3-year-old Dutch Shepherd from Right Hand K9. Tigo and Deputy Peters are a relatively new team and Tigo has certified in tracking and narcotics. K9 Tigo has been highly successful in his short career and is loved by all people big and small that get to meet him. Tigo loves to go to the schools and visit the children and gets lots of attention.

Mike Boyle and Tres are a K9 team working for the North Salt Lake City Police Department in Utah. They have been together since June of 2019. Tres is trained and certified as a narcotics and patrol dog. He is a 4-year-old German Shepherd/Malinois mix.

Deanie has been involved with K9 for over 35 years. She worked for Grand Junction Police Department 1987 to 2017, 28 years of her career she was a K9 handler. She worked six K9’s during her career.

After retiring Deanie has stayed involved in K9. She trains K9 teams in western Colorado, northwest Colorado and Wyoming. February 2021 Deanie was contacted by SCL Health, St. Mary’s Hospital about helping them start a K9 program.Deanie began working in the Emergency Department with K9 Talu.

In September 2021 Deanie began working in the Emergency Department with K9 Umi. Umi is a 6 year old German shepherd with French bloodlines. Umi splits her time working and training in apprehension/muzzle work at SCL Health St. Mary’s Hospital, and training in tracking and HRD with Ginny. Umi is already trained and certified in tracking through High Desert Police K9 Association, and the National Police Canine Association. She and Ginny are working towards a HRD certification. At the same time she and Deanie are working towards a Handler Protection certification through the National Police Canine Association.

Ginny is retired after 31 years from the Grand Junction Fire Department, and Grand Junction Police Department. Ginny is our resident K9 medic.

Even though she is super busy Umi always finds time to run at her private playground with her best dog friend K9 Te Ka. Umi also loves running in the mountains.

Deputy Aaron Clock has been with the Routt County Sheriff’s Office almost 10 years. In August of 2021 Deputy Clock was given the privilege of being the second K9 deputy for the agency. His partner K9 Winston is a 3 year old black lab currently trained and certified in illegal drug detection for meth, heroin, cocaine and MDMA (ecstasy). Winston was purchased from Bill Delay at Rocky Mountain Canine Academy.  Winston just got certified in November of 2021 and already had a positive alert in December of 2021 on a vehicle stop that produced 1.410 ounces of cocaine. Winston will begin tracking in the spring of 2022 with the hopes of getting him certified asap. Working as a K9 handler is an amazing job and Deputy Clock looks forward to many more years serving his community in Routt County with K9 Winston.