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Meet Our Heroes

compilation of all K9 Heroes

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit was established in 1989. The addition of dual purpose, professionally trained K-9s, partnered with a highly skilled deputy, not only ensures a safer community but also saves lives. o Since 2011, the DCSO K-9 Unit has been responsible for 20,510 deployments, 1,888 arrests and 725 assists in the surrounding counties, while seizing over 1,100 pounds of narcotics and $1.8 million in cash.

Thanks to the commitment of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the support of K-9 Friends, the DCSO K-9 Unit now consists of seven Deputy/K-9 teams.

Deputy Scott Kelly and Onyx

Deputy Scott Kelly

Deputy Scott Kelly started his career in law enforcement in 2018 with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. After working in the Detentions and Patrol Division, he was selected to be a K-9 handler in September of 2023, where he was paired with his first dog, Onyx. Together, they attended training at Gold Coast K-9 and graduated in November of 2023.

K-9 Officer Onyx

Born: July 2, 2021 – Netherlands
Breed: Belgian Tervuren
Start Date: November 7, 2023
Training: Patrol Work / Narcotics Detection
Specialty: Narcotics
Hobbies: Making it difficult for dad to brush him

“Onyx is a motivated fur ball who does not stop working (or shedding). It's been an absolute joy working with my new partner and learning from each other.” ~ Deputy Scott Kelly

Deputy Ian Austin and Nyx

Deputy Ian Austin

Deputy Ian Austin began his Law Enforcement Career in 2008 with the Adams County Sheriff's Office. His career continued with the Frederick Police Department and then the Douglas County Sheriff's Office in 2023. He has served as a K9 handler since 2011. He became a K-9 trainer in 2020. He raised K-9 Nyx from a puppy and began training her as an explosive detection dog in 2023. Nyx is the daughter of Deputy Austin's first K-9 partner Baron.

K-9 Officer Nyx

Born: March 25, 2020 – Broomfield, CO
Breed: Belgian Malinois
Start Date: October 2023
Training: Explosive Detection
Specialty: Fired Guns and Shell casings
Hobbies: Wrestling with her puppy

“Working with Nyx is a dream come true, she is an amazing partner, and being able to work with the daughter of my first police dog is truly something special.” ~ Deputy Ian Austin

Deputy Tim Van Noordt and Mako

Sergeant Tim Van Noordt

Sergeant Tim Van Noordt is a Colorado native. He started his career in law enforcement in 2010 with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. After working in the Detentions and Patrol Division he was selected to be a K-9 handler in August of 2017 where he was paired with his first dog, Mako. Together they attended training at Gold Coast K-9 and hit the streets in November of 2017. K-9 Mako is a German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois mix who was born in Slovakia.

K-9 Officer Mako

Born: May 13, 2016
Breed: German Shephard and Belgian Malinois Mix
Start Date: 2017
Training: Patrol Work / Narcotics Detection
Specialty: Building Searches
Hobbies: Sleeping on top of his kennel instead of inside it

“Mako has the biggest personality on the team. That dog never sits still and would best be described as part kangaroo.” ~ Deputy Tim Van Noordt

Deputy Travis Kyle and Sig

Deputy Travis Kyle

Deputy Travis Kyle’s law enforcement career began in 2008 with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Detentions Division. He moved to the Patrol Division four years later, and was then named to the K-9 Unit in 2015. Deputy Kyle’s first partner, Colt, was retired in January 2019. That same month, Deputy Kyle traveled to Gold Coast K-9 where he chose his new partner, Sig.

K-9 Officer Sig

Born: June 2, 2017
Breed: German Shepard
Start Date: 2019
Training: Patrol Work / Narcotics Detection
Specialty: Narcotics
Hobbies: Socializing with people and testing Travis’s patience

“Sig Is the baby in the bunch, he is probably the most methodical dog in the unit. You can actually hear him think!” ~ Deputy Travis Kyle

Deputy Kyle Nilemo and Rudy

Deputy Kyle Nilemo

Deputy Kyle Nilemo began his Law Enforcement Career in 2011 with the Cripple Creek Police Department. His career continued with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office and then the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in 2015. He served with the Douglas County Region SWAT Team, before becoming a K9 handler in 2017. He graduated from the Gold Coast K9 Dual Purpose handler course, where he was paired with Rudy.

K-9 Officer Rudy

Born: May 10th, 2016 – Slovakia
Breed: Dutch Shepard
Start Date: 2017
Training: Patrol Work / Narcotics Detection
Specialty: Tracking
Hobbies: Playing tug of war

“Rudy is the most destructive dog I have ever met, he would eat an entire loveseat if you let him, he actually ate Kyle’s K-9 homework one day. But has the biggest heart and is a real cuddle bug who is always starving for attention.” ~ Deputy Kyle Nilemo

Deputy Blake Davis and Blu

Deputy Blake Davis

Deputy Blake Davis started his law enforcement career in 2015 where he worked at the Wheat Ridge Police Department and joined the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in 2017. He graduated the Gold Coast K-9 school in 2018, where he was paired with Blu.

K-9 Officer Blu

Born: August 29, 2016 – Czech Republic
Breed: German Shepard / Malinois Mix
Start Date: 2018
Training: Patrol Work / Narcotics Detection
Specialty: Building Searches
Hobbies: Looking for his little sister’s (human) stuffed animals

“Blu is a very strong and intense dog. He demonstrates the perfect combo of intensity and playfulness. He knows when it’s time to work but likes to play more.” ~ Deputy Blake Davis

Deputy Tyler Genevish and Dozer

Deputy Tyler Genevish

Deputy Tyler Genevish started in Law Enforcement in 2011 with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Tampa, FL. He spent four years on patrol and four years with an undercover surveillance unit. He joined the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in July 2020. In July 2021, he was selected as a K-9 Handlerand two months laterhe attended the Gold Coast K-9's Dual Purpose Patrol School where he met and trained with his new partner, Dozer.

K-9 Officer Dozer

Born: Born: April 14, 2021 – Netherlands
Breed: Belgian Malinois
Start Date: October 27, 2021
Training: Patrol Work / Narcotics Detection
Specialty: Narcotics Detection
Hobbies: Rolling on his back in the grass

“Dozer is the newest and youngest member of the team. He has a great personality and will not hesitate to roll on his back in the grass every chance he gets.” ~ Deputy Tyler Genevish

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KOP Fund

The K-9 Officer Preservation (KOP) Fund ensures every DCSO K-9 receives the same high level of care and compassion throughout their retirement.

Beyond the Call of Duty

More than 20 DCSO K-9 Officers have served since 1989. With honor and respect, we are grateful for their service.

The kindness of friends.

Your contribution to K-9 Friends – no matter how small – makes a big difference for our heroes, their safety and the security of our community.

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