Detective Sean Cursain and K9 Rex, Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office

On February 26, 2010 Detective Sean Cursain assisted investigators with the search of a residence following an investigation and the issuance of a search warrant. Detective Sean Cursain deployed K9 Rex to search the residence. K9 Rex searched a room that the suspect had exclusive access to and recovered $8500 U.S. currency and a 9mm pistol. K9 Rex was then deployed to search a shed in the back yard. K9 Rex alerted on a diaper bag in the shed. In the diaper bag investigators located a can of brake cleaner with a false bottom and recovered 50 grams of Cocaine along with paraphernalia and equipment for distribution. Investigators noticed an area of the back yard that was freshly raked over. The investigators investigated this area further and recovered 70 grams of cocaine wrapped within several zip lock baggies. Detective Cursain deployed K9 Rex to search the back yard. K9 Rex searched the back yard and began digging in one spot. K9 Rex recovered ¼ kilo of cocaine wrapped in plastic bags.

Corporal Craig Mickel and K9 Butsch Alexandria Police Department

On March 15, 2010 Cpl Craig Mickel stopped a 2000 Cadillac Deville for traffic violations. Cpl Mickel and back up Officers contacted the occupants and were able to smell the odor of raw marijuana. Cpl Mickel deployed K9 Butsch to search the vehicle. K9 Butsch alerted to the odor of narcotics. Cpl Mickel returned Butsch to the patrol car and searched the vehicle. Cpl Mickel raised the arm rest that is located between the front driver seat and passenger seat and located a clear plastic bag containing suspected marijuana. Another brown paper bag containing cigar tobacco and marijuana was recovered from the inside of the Cadillac. After interviewing the suspects Cpl Mickel and other Officers responded to a residence. After talking to the residents and after the Officers were able to smell the odor of Marijuana coming from the house and the Lincoln towncar parked in the driveway,  the Officers received consent to search the residence and the car parked in the driveway. K9 Rex assisted with the search of the residence and of the Lincoln Towncar in the driveway. Subsequently 1.1 lbs of Marijuana packaged for distribution, $323.00 U.S. Currency and distribution equipment was recovered.

Corporal Craig Mickel and K9 Butsch Alexandria Police Department

On February 25, 2010 Cpl Mickel was dispatched to a burglary in progress. Cpl Mickel and K9 Butsch began checking the perimeter of the building and located a side door that had been kicked in. Cpl Mickel entered the building with K9 Butsch on a 15 ft lead. Cpl Mickel issued K9 challenges then began searching the building with K9 Butsch on lead. Cpl Mickel decided to conduct the search on lead after observing that the walls had been torn open and copper electrical wires were exposed. Cpl. Mickel observed that copper wires had been cut and removed. On the second floor of the building K9 Butsch alerted on a door. Cpl. Mickel issued K9 challenges. A suspect announced his presence. The suspect complied with Cpl Mickel’s orders and was taken into custody. Cpl Mickel and K9 Butsch finished clearing the building.

Officer Daniel Valdez and K9 Joery, Beaumont Police Department

Agent Kyle Okamura and K9 Decenna, Lakewood Police Department

On March 3, 2010 at approximately 2218 hours Agent Okamura and his K-9 Decenna responded to assist to assist a Detective who had stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. The Detective developed reasonable suspicion to search the vehicle for narcotics. Agent Okamura deployed K-9 Decenna around the vehicle. K-9 Decenna alerted three separate times to the rear, exterior of the vehicle. Once deployed inside, the K-9 again alerted to the vehicle. The K-9 also alerted to the spare tire in the trunk of the vehicle. Due to a possible extensive search, Detectives elected to impound the vehicle pending a search warrant application.  On March 4, 2010, Detectives executed the search warrant.  During the search, Detectives examined the spare tire on the vehicle that Agent Okamura's K-9 partner had alerted to while sniffing the vehicle during the traffic stop. He cut open the spare tire and observed a white foam material taped over an object. Inside the foam material, there were two bicycle tires taped together with electrical tape. Inside the bicycle tube was a brown granular substance. There also wasan immediate odor similar to vinegar. Detectives conducted a field-test and received a positive reaction for the presence of heroin. The gross weight of the heroin (inside the bicycle tubes) was 2.27 kilograms.

Investigator Tom Hayes and K9 Boo, Lakewood Police Department

On March 10, 2010 at approximately 2248 hours, Investigator Tom Hayes was requested to assist another Agent  with a traffic stop on eastbound Interstate 70 at Denver West Marriott Boulevard. The Agent initiated the stop after observing two violations. Subsequent contact with the occupants lead the Agent to be suspicious of drug trafficking activity. The Agent asked Investigator Hayes to respond with K-9 Boo to conduct a sniff of the vehicle. Investigator Hayes deployed "Boo" around the vehicle and Boo alerted to the bottom of the left rear passenger door seam three different times in the same area. The Agent impounded the vehicle pending a search warrant which he obtained the following day.  The vehicle was taken to the shop where a more detailed search lead to the discovery of two pounds of methamphetamine and 1/4 kilogram of cocaine hidden inside the left side floor rails in a false compartment.

Officer Ron Avila and K9 Matzo, Arvada Police Department

On March 05, 2010 at approximately 1909 hours Officer Avila responded to assist Investigators of the West Metro Drug Task Force at a local shopping center. Officer Avila was directed to stand by in the area while the investigators contacted the suspects in an investigation. The suspect was arrested out of a car. Officer Avila was asked to locate a second vehicle. The second vehicle was located nearby by Officer Avila. Subsequently Officer Avila contacted the driver and the Investigators spoke with the subject. Officer Avila was asked to deploy K9 Matzo and search the exterior of the subject’s vehicle. K9 Matzo searched the exterior of the vehicle and alerted on the rear door. A large bag of Marijuana was located inside the vehicle. The bag contained approximately 2 lbs of Marijuana.

Officer Shawn Walsh and K9 Pidio, Thornton Police Department

On January 18, 2010 at approximately 2155 hours, Officer Walsh responded to assist Investigators of the Front Range Drug Task Force. The investigators had a vehicle stopped and requested that Officer Walsh search the vehicle with K9 Pidio for controlled substances. The investigators had probable cause to search the vehicle. K9 Pidio was deployed to search the exterior of the vehicle and alerted on the drives door. K9 Pidio completed the exterior of the vehicle and then was directed to search the interior of the vehicle. K9 Pidio alerted after sniffing the area under the passenger front seat and after sniffing the center console. Subsequently a kilo of Cocaine was discovered inside the center console after the cup holder was removed. The cocaine was wrapped in dark tape and a layer of plastic.

Officer Nathan Opsahl and K9 Bobby, Summit County Sheriff's Office

On March 17, 2010 at approximately 0130 hours Deputy Nathan Opsahl responded to assist another agency that was investigating a possible burglary in progress. Deputy Opsahl deployed K9 Bobby to search the building. The suspect was not located. While investigating the burglary, Deputy Opsahl viewed video and obtained a description of the suspect. An intrusion alarm was received from a nearby business. Deputy Opsahl responded to the second alarm with other Officers. While checking the perimeter of the business Deputy Opsahl observes the suspect inside, and recognizes that this is the same suspect from the first burglary. Deputy Opsahl orders the suspect out of the business. The suspect exited the business and began running. Deputy Opsahl ordered the suspect to stop or the canine would be released.  As soon as canine Bobby focused in on the suspect, Deputy Opsahl gave him the command to bite as Ofc. Ortega and himself began a foot pursuit of the suspect.  Bobby caught up with the suspect in a parking lot and bit him in the left arm.  The suspect and Bobby fell and rolled down the hill as Bobby continued to bite the suspect trying to get a good hold.  The suspect then began to fight with Bobby and punched Bobby twice in the right side.  This caused Bobby to release the suspect.  The suspect was able to get back on his feet and started to run. Bobby bit the suspect again in the left arm; the suspect dropped his coat and sweatshirt while Bobby was biting him.  Bobby released the jacket and sweatshirt and bit the suspect again in the left arm causing the suspect to fall down to the ground. The suspect grabbed Bobby’s upper and lower jaw with both hands and was trying to break Bobby’s jaw.  Bobby yelped in pain as I engaged the suspect by delivering two fist strikes to the suspect’s left torso side and ordering him to stop hurting the canine.  The suspect continued to put pressure on Bobby’s jaw causing pain.  I then ordered the suspect to stop and delivered two more fist strikes to the left side of the suspect’s face.  The suspect then released Bobby’s jaw, allowing Bobby to bite him on his right forearm.  The suspect again tried to grab Bobby’s mouth, when Bobby let go and bit him on the right side of his neck and face.The suspect then began to cooperate and put his hands up in the air.  I gave Bobby the release command and moved Bobby back as Ofc. Ridge arrived on scene and placed the suspect into custody.  I immediately called for an ambulance to respond for the suspect’s injuries.