Jerico
RETIRED
Jerico, a Golden Retriever, joined the Alliance Police Department in 1995. He was the first police K9 in the history of APD. He was trained as a narcotics detection K9 as well as a tracking K9. While he was often used to track lost or missing persons or suspects who had fled, his main job was drug detection. He was trained in five odors of illicit drugs. He routinely found drugs hidden in cars, homes, businesses, schools, hidden inside other objects etc. His ability to detect the odor of drugs on objects such as cars and cash, helped in the seizure of the items. Jerico was often called on by other agencies, including Police Departments, Parole, Dept. of Corrections and the FBI to assist with drug searches.
Jerico was so successful as a drug detection dog that area drug dealers eventually put a price on his head, offering to pay anyone who would kill him.As a Golden Retriever, Jerico’s friendly temperament made him a hit with children and adults alike. He performed many public demonstrations and visited schools so often that many knew him and would rush to greet him.
Jerico went into semi-retirement in 1999 when K9 Zeus joined APD. He continued to do public relations demonstrations, and assist APD and the the Stark Metropolitan Drug Task Force with drug searches until he fully retired in 2002. Jerico set the example for future APD K9s to follow. He laid the groundwork for what has become a highly successful police K9 program here at APD.
Canine Handler for Jerico: Lt. John Jenkins - email
