Tuesday, 09 March 2010 13:02

K-9 “Blade” has retired from active duty, Forsyth County Sheriff Ted Paxton announced today.
Blade is an 8 year-old Beauceron, which is a French breed. He was originally purchased when he was a puppy by Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Scott Wilson. In the months that followed, Sgt. Wilson trained Blade in various drug detection. In February, 2006, when he was 18 months old, Blade was purchased with drug seizure funds from Sgt. Wilson for $1. He then was placed into active duty with Sgt. Wilson.
Blade has enjoyed a very productive career, Sgt. Wilson said. He has assisted in numerous felony and misdemeanor drug arrests. He once tracked and was instrumental in the recovery of a person who was threatening suicide, who was then able to receive medical treatment. In addition, he has assisted the Sheriff’s Office SWAT team on numerous missions.
Sgt. Wilson said that the most rewarding incident he was involved in with Blade was when Braselton Police were pursuing a truck with three armed robbery suspects. The suspects wrecked near the Gwinnett/Forsyth County line and fled on foot. Sgt. Wilson and Blade tracked one suspect who was found hiding in a tree he had climbed. Blade then turned his attention to the second suspect and located him hiding in tall grass. When the suspect would not comply with Sgt. Wilson’s commands, Blade’s sharp bite soon changed the suspect’s mind about complying.
Blade is certified in Narcotics and Patrol by the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association and American Working Dog Association. He also participated daily when Sgt. Wilson attended a six-week K-9 Instructor School in North Carolina. Blade’s has over 2,000 total training hours.
Blade has also been a favorite attraction at public relations events because of his ability to leap over the roof of a car to apprehend a suspect (decoy).
Blade will spend his retirement years at home with Sgt. Wilson and his family. He also sired a litter of puppies that were born this past weekend. Sgt. Wilson says that Blade will continue to sleep in the bed with his five year old son, and will dare anyone to attempt to break into the Wilson home.
Friday, 05 March 2010 10:16
Sgt. Brandon Moore and "Mic"
“Mic” the horse has retired from active duty, Forsyth County Sheriff Ted Paxton announced today.
Sheriff Paxton said that Mic was one of two horses purchased when the Mounted Patrol Unit was formed in April, 2001. The other horse, “Jimbo” was retired three years ago.
In the years following, Mic faithfully served the Sheriff’s Office and put in thousands of hours patrolling Lake Lanier Parks, making public relations appearances and searching for lost and missing persons, the Sheriff said.
During those years, Mic had three riders assigned to him. They were Sergeants Brian DeBlois, Eric Silveus and Brandon Moore.
Mic is a 20 year-old American Quarter Horse, Sheriff Paxton added, and will be spending his retirement years grazing in a pasture on a private farm.