Greene County K-9 deputy Leo came as close as a dog ever does to smiling when he and his trainer and handler, chief deputy Jack Williams, had their picture taken with an award they received earlier this month.
Leo and Williams were honored by Region 21 of the US Police K-9 Association for their role in breaking a narcotics case. Region 21, which includes Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, recognizes one team every six months.
The case involved a 6-pound box of marijuana sent through the U.S. mail. Postal inspectors realized what was in the box after it left Des Moines to be delivered to the Scranton post office. Williams was notified of the package. The Scranton recipient (who was not intended as the end recipient) had picked up the box and had it in her car before Williams and Leo got to the post office. Williams said he found the driver, followed her, and then pulled her over for speeding. He walked Leo around the car, and Leo “indicating” on the car gave him cause to search and confiscate the package.
(Williams explained that a K-9 unit can be used to search a vehicle at any time. A warrant or the resident’s permission is needed to search a building unless there is public access to it.)
The award was the first for Leo and for Williams. Leo joined the sheriff’s office in February 2014. In his first year, Leo was credited with the seizure of nearly $36,000 in illegal drugs.
