K-9
K-9 History
by Lt. Wes Barnes
The Anderson Police Department K-9 Division was started in 1995 by Lieutenant Randal Vaughn.
For years Lt. Vaughn had a vision of a K-9 division ultimately consisting of 5 teams. It took 5 years
before his dream was fulfilled in 1996. Lt. Vaughn retired with his K-9 Division in full swing.
The first dog to join the department in 1996 was "Eros" a German shepherd from Europe. Eros' handler was Narcotics Investigator Mike Dickson. Eros was a Narcotic detection and tracking dog.
The next two dogs to come onboard in the late spring of 1996 were Chuck and Ringo. Both were Belgium Malinois, pronounced Mal-in-wah, also from Europe. Chuck's handler was Cpl. Wes Barnes and Ringo's handler was PFC Travis Scott. Later Ringo was transferred to a new handler Ptl. Holly Hamilton who had recently come off active duty with the United States Army where she served as a K-9 handler.
Later that year the last two dogs were brought onboard. Two more Belgium Malinois named Iwan, pronounced Ivan, and Marco. Iwan was assigned to Ptl. Steve Burroughs and Marco to PFC Jim Stewart. Four of the dogs were assigned to the four patrol shifts (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta) and Eros was assigned to Vice / Narcotics.
We called them the "CRIME" dogs because the first letter of their names spelled crime.
| Chuck | Ringo | Iwan | Marco | Eros |
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This was not intentional as we just used the names they had on their papers. The "CRIME" name was a coincidence, but it confirmed that the City of Anderson Police Department's K-9 Division was meant to be. Each dog was immediately considered apart of the Police Family, and proved to be an essential asset to the department and citizens they served.
Of the original "Crime Dogs" all have since passed on to "The Rainbow Bridge".
The Rainbow Bridge
There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called "The Rainbow Bridge "because of its many colors. Just
this side of The Rainbow Bridge, there is a land of meadows, hills, and valleys with lush green grass. When a beloved
pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water and warm Spring weather. Those old and frail
animals are young again. Those who have been maimed are made whole again. They play all day with each other. But
there is only one thing missing. They are not with their special person who loved them on earth. So, each day, they
run and play until the day comes when one suddenly stops playing and looks up. The nose twitches, the ears are up,
the eyes are staring, and this one runs from the group. You have been seen. When you and your special friend meet,
you take him or her in your arms and embrace. Your face is kissed again and again. You look once more into the eyes
of your trusting pet. Then, you cross The Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.
I am glad to say that with the exception of one all of them served the community with relentless courage and no fear. They retired to live at home with their handlers. They died from complications due to old age. Chuck was the only K-9 to die while still on active duty. He died in May of 2001 from heat stress aggravated by an undetected heart condition. He was seven years old.
Since the original Crime dogs, the APD has had K-9 Rocket who was a bomb / patrol dog his original handler was Officer Scott Todd and then Officer Benjy Partian. Rocket is retired and living at home. There was K-9 Dash another bomb dog who served with Anderson County Sheriff's Office before coming to the city. His handler was Officer Holly Hamilton. He has retired and is living with Holly.
Today we have 3 K-9s, one blood hound and two German Shepherds. Our blood hound is named Drake and has been with the APD for about three years. His handler is SGT Don Hodges. Their duties are to track lost or missing children and adults. They also track down and find fleeing suspects who have either committed a crime or are believed to have committed a crime. Drake is very friendly and very big. So if you happen to meet Drake just remember to give him plenty of room as his size can knock a person over.
Our other two dogs are Narc / Patrol dogs. K-9 Bandit is handled by Cpl. Chris Getsinger and K-9 Deuce is handled by PFC. Brandon Dunn. Both dogs originally came from Europe and their responsibilities are to detect the odor of illicit narcotic drugs, track lost and missing persons, find discarded articles and evidence such as a gun tossed into the brush or a field by a fleeing suspect. They also search buildings and areas for suspects. They are also trained to apprehend suspects and protect their handlers.
All of the dogs are extremely friendly and sociable. They are available for school and civic group demonstrations. While we at the A.P.D. believe in having only social dogs please remember they are trained to bite on command but they are not mean or aggressive. They live for the attention given to them by their handlers, children and the citizens they protect. So when you see them out and about ask the handler first before you approach any police dog. I feel certain the handler would love to show off his K-9 partner. I know the dogs will appreciate all the attention you care to give them.