The K-9 unit of the Mercer County Sheriff's Office was initiated in 1993 under the direction of Sheriff Kevin C. Larkin. The unit graduated two explosive detector K-9 teams from the Union County K-9 School in 1994. During the years since, the unit has grown to include K-9's that specialize in arson detection, narcotics detection and tracking. The unit is currently under the supervision of Undersheriff Jack Kemler and Sergeant Harry Harbourt.

Over the last five years teams have averaged over 150 assignments per year. The teams include:

Explosive
K-9 Shadow and Officer Joseph Bonfonti
K-9 Grady and Officer Vincent Piscotta
K-9 Rocko and Inv.Richard S.Piotrowski,Jr.

Narcotics
K-9 Buddy and Officer Joseph Bonfonti
K-9 Slammer and Officer Craig Bunting

Patrol
K-9 Slammer and Officer Craig Bunting

Tracking - Search and Rescue
K-9 Rufus and Inv.Richard S.Piotrowski,Jr.
K-9 Matilda and Officer Christopher Drew

The Mercer County Sheriff's Office K-9 unit not only conducts field and building searches, but have also provided their service to various Federal, State and local agencies, including Presidential security details throughout the state.

All requests for K-9 service or demonstration should be made to our Crime Prevention Unit (609)989-6111.

If you or anyone you know has a dog they would like to donate to our K-9 Unit please call (609)989-6111.