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.
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
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
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 Shepherd 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
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 Shepherd
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
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 Shepherd
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
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 Shepherd / 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
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
