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 Dennis McManimon and Sergeant Harry Harbourt.

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

Explosive
K9 Brock and Officer Joseph Bonfonti
K9 Balko and Officer Craig Bunting
K9 Nero and Officer Pat Papero
K9 Cita and Officer Joseph Fedor

Narcotics
K9 Esso and Officer Chris Drew

Patrol
K9 Esso and Officer Chris Drew

Tracking - Search and Rescue
K9 Matilda and Officer Chris 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.