CLEVELAND — The White County Sheriff’s office has four new officers patrolling the county. Deputy Erin Thomas and her K-9 Henzo and Deputy John Thomas and his K-9 Skuter have joined the department’s ranks.
Sheriff Rick Kelley introduced the new K-9 units to the public on Friday. The sheriff’s office purchased Henzo from the Riverdale Police Department and Skuter from Clayton County Police. “We acquired the dogs and their handlers came with them,” Kelley tells Now Habersham. The Thomases, who are married, filled existing positions within the sheriff’s office.
Henzo is trained for drug intervention and tracking, while Skuter is a drug, tracking, and apprehension dog.
Kelley says his office paid for the dogs with seized assets money and contributions people made for needed equipment. “Those dogs are just a valuable tool for our patrol deputies to have access to while they are on their shifts,” Kelley adds.
The K-9s have only been with the department for a short time, but Henzo has already helped Cleveland Police make an arrest. Kelley says Skuter has also assisted with a couple of drug arrests.
Dean Dyer of WRWH News contributed to the report
