This weekend members of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office K-9 Division will be on parade. Starting on Saturday, February 25, at noon, Krewe Du Pooch will be rolling on the Mandeville Lakefront. K-9 Echo, a 7-year-old female Labrador retriever, who is assigned to the Highway Enforcement Division as a narcotics detection canine, will be accompanying her handler, Detective James Kelley. Detective Kelley has served with the agency for 9 years. While working together on the major interstates and highways in St. Tammany Parish, this K-9 team has seized hundreds of pounds of illegal narcotics.
Also rolling in Mandeville’s Krewe Du Pooch is K-9 Copper. K-9 Copper is a 3-year-old male Bloodhound that specializes in tracking, search, and rescue. He will be accompanied by his handler, Sergeant Chris Harman. Sgt. Harman has 19 years of service with the agency. K-9 Copper has been utilized in multiple searches and demonstrations.
A second parade, Mardi Paws, will roll on Sunday, February 26 at 2 p.m. in downtown Covington. You will see K-9 Freya who will be handled by Deputy Justin Gregorio. Deputy Gregorio has 8 years of service with the agency. K-9 Freya is a 9-year-old Bavarian Mountain Hound who specializes in tracking, search, and rescue. Freya has located multiple missing children and adults.
Both of these events support great causes including numerous local rescue organizations.
“I am proud of our dedicated K-9 Division, and the selfless work these dogs do every day in keeping our citizens safe in St. Tammany Parish. We treat these dogs like family, and this weekend we want you to enjoy them and for them to have a great time,” Sheriff Smith stated.
Public Information Office Contact Information:
Sergeant Suzanne Carboni – 985-276-1357 suzannecarboni@stpso.com
Sergeant Carli Messina – 985-276-1349 or carlimessina@stpso.com