The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office has added a new four-legged member to its ranks. Boomer is a specialized explosive detection K-9 that will assist with bomb threats, suspicious packages, and security operations at large public events.
Boomer, a 1.5-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer, recently completed the American Working Dog Association’s Explosive Ordnance Detection Course alongside his handler, Deputy Trent Smith, at the Knox County Sheriff’s K-9 Academy in Galesburg, Illinois.
Sheriff Brad Youngman said expanding the agency’s K-9 program has been a priority during his tenure.
“Working dogs are amazingly helpful for law enforcement,” Youngman said. “One of the things I wanted to do as sheriff was expand the K-9 program and we have done that over the past few years. We now have two drug dogs and a therapy dog. The next logical step was a bomb dog.”
Youngman said while explosive-related emergencies are uncommon, the agency regularly encounters bomb threats, suspicious packages, and security concerns surrounding large public gatherings.
“Bomb threats are extremely disruptive to operations and having a dog is the best way to clear the scene and return to normal operations,” he said.
Prior to adding Boomer, the sheriff’s office relied on outside agencies for explosive detection assistance.
“In the past we have relied on other agencies such as OPD, KSP and even Evansville-area agencies for bomb dog support,” Youngman said. “My goal is to have that capability in-house while also continuing to work with those agencies and also other agencies that need assistance.”
Smith said Boomer is a single-purpose explosive detection canine, meaning he is trained exclusively to locate explosive materials and is not used for apprehension or handler protection.
“Boomer is a single purpose explosion detection canine,” Smith said. “He can be used in areas for bomb threats without the building having to be evacuated due to him not being trained in apprehension or handler protection.”
The new K-9 will serve as a resource for a variety of public safety situations throughout Daviess County.
“Boomer serves as a preventive measure tool for the office to be in service for the judicial center, school, or major events such as concerts or visiting dignitaries,” Smith said.
When responding to a potential threat, Smith said he and Boomer use a systematic search process designed to clear areas safely and efficiently.
“When deployed, we would utilize a longer lead and search in a systematic manner to clear areas as fast and safely as possible,” he said.
Smith said he is eager to begin putting the new capability to work.
“We are excited to be back from training and ready to serve the citizens of Daviess County as a new tool that we can begin using to make the community safer,” he said.
He added that the program could also strengthen cooperation with other law enforcement agencies throughout the region.
“We also look forward to being able to build partnerships with other agencies with Boomer,” Smith said.
Youngman noted that Boomer was purchased using money seized from drug traffickers and awarded to the sheriff’s office through the court system.
“We were able to add this capability without using budget funds,” he said.
