KPD K-9 team wins award

K-9 Officer Brady Middlebrooks with his K-9, Jeroen. The team finished in the top ten out of 108 teams competing in the NNDDA competition.

Kilgore Police Department's K-9 officer, Brady Middlebrooks, and his dog, Jeroen placed eighth in the National Competition.

KPD officer David Falco, who is on the board of directors for the National Narcotics Detector Dog Association, said Kilgore Police Department competed in the National Competition.

The competition was held in Jackson, Miss., from March 31 to April 4.

"The team of Middlebrooks and Jeroen underwent four days of narcotics detection training and classroom training before competing on the final day of the conference," said Falco."

Middlebrooks said 108 K-9 teams competed in the event, with only the top ten teams being recognized at the closing banquet where they received a trophy.

Jeroen is Kilgore's six year old German Shepherd Police Service Dog who is trained and certified in detection, patrol and tracking.

Jeroen was purchased from Four Winds Police Dog Center in Geffen, Holland. "Jeroen is handled by Middlebrooks, who is an eight year veteran of the Kilgore Police Department," said Falco. "He became the K-9 Officer in December of 2005."

Falco was the former K-9 Officer for Kilgore and attends the conference as a board member and instructor. "I was extremely proud of Middlebrooks and Jeroen who were very focused on the positive aspects of the training," said Falco. "I am excited that Middlebrooks and Jeroen are continuing the tradition for the Kilgore Police Department of having an outstanding K-9 team."

Middlebrooks said smaller police departments like Kilgore use K-9s who are certified in many detection areas due to the high cost of the dogs. "Jeroen cost approximately $10,000," said Middlebrooks. "Because of his multiple detection capabilities, I must conduct training with him every day to keep him sharp in all areas."

Middlebrooks is nut just Jeroen's handler at work. Jeroen goes home with Middlebrooks, who takes care of Jeroen's every need.

Middlebrooks said if a K-9 is needed for Kilgore, whether he is on duty or off, he and Jeroen will respond.

Next year's NNDDA annual training conference will be held in Corpus Christi.