A K9 from the Banks County Sheriff’s Office is credited with saving a life and advancing a burglary investigation in Cornelia over the weekend.
On July 12, K9 Becka and Cpl. Josh Pressley assisted the Cornelia Police Department (CPD) in locating a seriously injured person who had suffered a mental episode.
The incident occurred around 1:40 a.m. Officers had searched the perimeters with no success in locating the individual who was bleeding and needed medical attention, says CPD Major Kevin Marsteller. He says the area was thick with vegetation and difficult to search.
K9 Becka picked up the scent and quickly located the person who was in and out of consciousness. Officers were able to render aid until EMS arrived.
“We are fortunate to be able to utilize K9 Becka’s expertise and help along with Cpl. Pressley,” Marsteller says. “The individual who was injured would possibly have a different outcome had it not been for Becka’s keen senses.”
Tracking burglars
Those keen senses also helped Cornelia police with a burglary investigation.
On June 30 and July 12, ABC Foods off Veteran Memorial reported burglaries. Major Marsteller says CPD investigators believe the same person is involved in these incidents.
According to Marsteller, an individual smashed the front glass door of the grocery store, took multiple items, and fled on foot. K9 Becka tracked to a nearby apartment complex approximately a quarter mile away, where officers canvassed the area.
Marsteller could not be specific about the evidence Becka found but said the bloodhound definitely furthered the investigation.
“K9 Becka is an invaluable asset. We are thankful for Banks County Sheriff’s willingness to assist,” he says.
Becka is a Scent Evidence K9 and an alumnus of the Georgia Bloodhound Team. Together with Scent Evidence K9 Master Handler Pressley, she has helped recover many missing people and evidence in Banks County and surrounding communities.
This article has been updated with the correct spelling of the Major’s name
