TEXARKANA , Ark. -- Deputy Jett is officially on duty with the Miller County Sheriff's Office.
The 18-month-old K9 officer is part Dutch Shepherd, part Malinois and all business when he's on the job.
MCSO purchased Jett from a breeder in Texas. It has been about 14 years since MCSO has had a K9 officer. The previous dog, Nero, retired in 2011.
"I said when I became sheriff I wanted a dog for the department. But they are very expensive and we could not have done this without the donors," Sheriff Wayne Easley said Thursday.
Jett's full cost was over $19,000. MCSO was in the process of fundraising when the ArkLaTex 100 Club awarded the department $12,000 to purchase a K9 officer.
The club's primary mission is to raise funds for the dependents of local first responders who are lost in the line of duty. Remaining funds are available as grants to local fire and police agencies to purchase unbudgeted but necessary life-saving equipment and training.
The United States Police Canine Association donated the remaining funds needed.
Jett and his trainer, Deputy Shane Johnson, spent eight weeks training with Southern State K9s in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
"We trained for tracking, article searching and building searches for narcotics. There were all kinds of scenarios for us to do. It was some of the most real life training I've ever done," Johnson said. Johnson will continue to train with Jett 16 hours a month.
Jett may be young, but he's already proving his worth at MCSO. He's gone out on traffic stops and with officers serving search warrants.
"He's already been a useful tool," Easley said.
Easley said the county needed a multipurpose dog who can do narcotics detection, tracking and apprehension.
Dr. Jocelyn Kemp at Care Pet Clinic is providing Jett's veterinary care. Precision Metal Industries is making a custom made equipment locker for the K9 vehicle, and Richardson Fence is donating an outdoor kennel.
MCSO fleet manager and mechanic Dewayne Floyd and inmates are providing a custom vehicle cage with heat and air vents.
Numerous other donors have provided food or supplies.
Jett may work hard, but he is also friendly and social and loves to play when he's not working.
"It was important for us to have a dog we could take around the citizens, and he's great around children and people," Easley said.
Easley credits Johnson with finding donations and choosing Jett when it came time to purchase a dog.
Johnson and Jett are true partners at work and home. At the end of his shift, Jett goes home with Johnson and fits in well with his children and pets.
"We spend 24 hours a day together," he said. "People say we're a good match."
Miller County Sheriff's Deputy Shane Johnson is shown with Jett, an 18-month-old K9 officer on March 28, 2024, in Texarkana, Arkansas. Jett is part Dutch Shepherd, part Malinois and was purchased from a breeder in Texas to be a multipurpose K9 officer. Jett's full cost was over $19,000. MCSO was in the process of fundraising when the ArkLaTex 100 Club awarded the department $12,000. (Staff photo by Lori Dunn)