The Daviess County Public Schools Police Department has added a new K9 to its team, aiming to strengthen safety efforts across the district. Tompe, a German wire-haired pointer, will serve alongside Chief Gary Mattingly as a narcotics-detection dog.
District officials said the department applied through K9s.org and was later matched with Tompe, who is trained to help detect drugs in school facilities. Mattingly and Tompe recently completed several weeks of training together in Houston, Texas, and will continue ongoing training locally.
“K9 Tompe has been an absolute pleasure getting to know,” Mattingly said. “Our bond has grown strong through long hours of training in Houston. The job doesn’t stop after Texas, as K9 Tompe and I will continue to train each and every day to keep our students, faculty, and staff safe.”
Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Matt Mason said the addition reflects the district’s continued focus on school safety.
“Adding a highly trained K9 like Tompe strengthens our ability to proactively keep our schools safe while also enhancing the positive culture we strive to build every day,” Mason said. “Tompe is more than just a detection dog — he’s a valued member of our team and community.”
