A 21-month-old German Shepherd named Cash is the newest member of the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office. Cash will be assigned to the DCSO Patrol Division and is certified to assist his handler as well as detect illegal narcotics.
DCSO Deputy Kolbe Mattingly and K9 Cash graduated from Cedar Creek Kennel in Monmouth, Illinois, on December 13. The dual-purpose law enforcement K9 course is a 10-week class for both the handler and the service animal that focuses on topics such as narcotics detection, tracking, article and building searches, and apprehension.
K9 Cash was sworn in as a DCSO deputy in the Fiscal Court Courtroom on Monday in front of fellow deputies and Mattingly’s family.
“It’s just another way that I can help my community and serve others,” Mattingly said. “Cash is a very loyal dog. When selecting the dog from the group on day one I knew he was the one because from the very first minute he came in the room he sat by my leg and didn’t leave. Honestly, it’s like he picked me. Not me picking him.”
The addition of Cash brings the total number of DCSO K9 units to 3, with 1 team being a certified therapy dog purchased earlier this year with grant money. Cash was purchased for DCSO by the Fiscal Court as part of an ongoing effort by DCSO to combat illegal drugs in the county.
Sheriff Brad Youngman approached the court in the spring of 2023 to request assistance in expanding the DCSO K9 Unit.
“I am very grateful to the Daviess County Fiscal Court Commissioners and Judge-Executive Castlen for their support to the Sheriff’s Office,” Youngman said. “Projects like these are just one example of their commitment to public safety, and so much of our success is directly attributed to their efforts.”
