New K9 Officer Joins SJSO

Sheriff Mike Tregre recently commissioned a new officer – K9 Rico. Rico is a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois who has been trained to sniff out narcotics as well as to apprehend criminals and for tracking and handler protection. Rico is from the Netherlands and was trained by USK9 Unlimited. The SJSO obtained Rico in August 2021. Due to Hurricane Ida, he and his handler, Deputy Blade Rager, had to postpone training until November. Rico and Deputy Rager successfully completed a rigorous six-week course with USK9 and graduated December 24.