K-9 Unit History

These dogs have served the Sheriff's Office well and we honor the work they have done for the Clay County Sheriff's Office.

Maverick

  • Breed: German Shepard/Belgian Malinois
  • DOB: March 9th, 2020
  • Functions: Narcotics and Evidence Detection, Apprehension, and Tracking

K9 Maverick is a German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois cross import from Slovakia. Maverick was trained at Performance Kennels, Buffalo MN.  Maverick is assigned to the Patrol Division with his handler Deputy Mike Fildes.  When Maverick is not working, he lives with Deputy Fildes and his family.

MAVERICK

Goose

K9 Goose is a Belgian Malinois/Dutch Shepard cross imported from Slovakia. Goose was trained through Performance Kennels which is based in Buffalo, Minnesota. K9 Goose is trained in narcotic detection, criminal apprehension, and human tracking and trailing and graduated from K9 School with his handler, Deputy Grandbois, in June of 2020. K9 Goose spends his time away from work with his handler playing fetch at the park or running circles around the house.

Goose

Deekon

  • Breed: German Shepard/Belgian Malinois
  • DOB: January 2014
  • Functions: Narcotics Detection, Apprehension, and Tracking

K9 Deekon is a German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois cross import from Slovakia. Deekon was trained at Performance Kennels, Buffalo MN.  Deekon is assigned to the Patrol Division with his handler Sergeant Corby Nelson.  When Deekon is not working, he lives with Sergeant Nelson and his family.

K-9 Deekon Temp

Shadow

The Clay County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit was formed in 1994 with Deputy Stan Gordon and his partner, Shadow. Shadow was purchased from the St. Paul Police K-9 Unit and received his training there. Shadow and Deputy Gordon were partners for 3 years until Deputy Gordon left the Sheriff's Office for an investigation position. Shadow is now retired and living with the Gordon's.

Hunter

  • Birthday: March 13, 1994
  • Hunter's safety message: No goal is out of reach if you really believe in yourself and are willing to work for it.

K-9 Hunter and Deputy Landsem became partners in 1995. K-9 Hunter and Landsem received their training at the St. Paul Police K-9 Unit. K-9 Hunter had several finds in his career, including both narcotics and hidden subjects. In 1999, K-9 Hunter took 1st place at the United States Police Canine Association Field Trials in Criminal Apprehension. K-9 Hunter passed away from a stomach problem shortly after the trials in 1999.

K-9 Hunter

Jake

  • Birthday: May 9, 1993
  • Jake's safety message: Always wear your seatbelt.

K-9 Jake and Deputy Steffes became partners in 1996. K-9 Jake and Steffes received their training from the Minneapolis Police K-9 Unit. K-9 Jake retired from the Sheriff's Office in 2002 and is living at home with the Steffes family and Deputy Steffes' new partner, Indy.

K-9 Jake

Jax

  • Birthday: January 27, 1997
  • Jax's safety message: Don't give in to "Peer Pressure". D.A.R.E. to say "NO" to drugs and alcohol.

K-9 Jax and Lt. Steve Landsem became partners in 1999. K-9 Jax was imported from Czechoslovakia and purchased from Orchard Knolls Kennel in North Carolina. K-9 Jax responded to Czechoslovakian commands. K-9 Jax was certified with the United States Police Canine Association. K-9 Jax was trained in narcotics detection, tracking for missing persons and suspects, and building searches. K-9 Jax retired from the Sheriff's Office in 2006 and is living at home with the Landsems.

K-9 Jax

Indy

  • Birthday: May 2000
  • Indy's safety message: Seatbelts save lives!

K-9 Indy and Deputy Scott Steffes became partners in 2003. Indy was imported from Czechoslovakia and purchased from Performance Kennels in Minnesota. K-9 Indy was certified with the United States Police Canine Association. K-9 Indy was trained in narcotics detection, tracking for missing persons and suspects, and building searches. K-9 Indy successfully found several suspects throughout his career. K-9 Indy passed away suddenly from cancer in November of 2009.

K-9 Indy

Cuda

  • Birthday: April 2006

K-9 Cuda and Deputy Ryan Carey became partners in 2007. Cuda was imported from Slovakia and purchased from Performance Kennels in Minnesota. K9 Cuda was certified with the U.S.P.C.A and trained in narcotics, tracking, building searches and suspect apprehension. K-9 Cuda has received the following regional and national awards from 2008-2012: 

Regional Awards

Top Team 20102nd place overall dog (twice)Mike Fischer Award
(top apprehension score in
entire region)
Top Team 20114th place overall dog1st place apprehension (twice)
Top Team 20125th place overall dog
Top Rookie Team2nd place in agility

National Awards

6th place overall2nd place team
8th place overall2nd place obedience

K-9 Cuda is currently working at the Sussex Correctional Institute in Delaware.

CudaSm.jpg