FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 12, 2007

CONTACT: Jim Lowney, 908-527-4711

Police K9 Graduation

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Police officers and their K9s from the Union County Sheriff’s Office K9 Training Academy Class 06-02 prepare to enter their graduation ceremony at the Trailside Nature and Science Center Auditorium in Mountainside. Seven teams of handles and dogs completed 12 weeks of scent school to be able to detect explosives and narcotics. The seven teams are:

Bergen County Sheriff’s Office

Officer Sonya Bekier & K9 Jimmy (Narcotics)

Officer Thomas Smaldone & K9 Nero (Narcotics)

Edison Police Department

Officer Robert A. Ellmyer & K9 Koda (Narcotics)

Officer Shawn Meade & K9 Lucky (Explosives)

Readington Township Police Department

Officer Chris Heycock & K9 Fanto (Narcotics)

South Bound Brook Police Department

Officer Frederick M. Fittin & K9 Niko (Narcotics)

United States Park Police

Sergeant William Vitolo & K9 Norton (Explosives)