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THE DETAIL NEWSLETTER February 2023

INJURED K9S ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY

By Sgt. Brian Starbuck, K9 Unit

Sgt. Brian Starbuck and K9 Voq

Working police dogs are not immune from injury. When their handlers encounter dangerous individuals while out on patrol, they often have to send in the dogs. K9s can get shot, stabbed, kicked and thrown in the line of duty but they also get injured off-duty as well. Recently, I had to take my K9, Voq, to the vet late one night after he cut his hip playing in the yard and required stitches.

My dog, Voq, holds a ball in his mouth while taking a nap at home after getting his stitches

The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office has a total of nine dogs -- six K9s who catch criminals and sniff for drugs, and three school therapy dogs. In the past few months, six of the nine were either injured or off duty for medical reasons.

It's a good thing we have an excellent working relationship with the staff at Alameda East Veterinary Hospital because we find ourselves there with regularity. These dogs have high drives, a tremendous amount of energy and their willingness to help their handlers makes them more prone to injury than your normal house pet. As if my dog's initial injury wasn't enough, Voq managed to work his stitches loose and I had to bring him back to the vet again so they could put staples to the wound.

K9 Atlas is one of our most energetic K9s and possibly our most accident-prone. In April 2022, he was hoisted inside a dumpster where a suspect was hiding and cut his paw on a sharp piece of sheet metal. The laceration to his artery nearly cost him his life. Then, on January 13, Atlas cut his foot again on a broken window while trying to enter a building. He's still recovering from that injury.

K9 Atlas with his injury in April

It's not just Patrol K9s that find themselves with patched paws. SRO therapy dog, Rex, began limping a few months ago. His handler took him to Alameda East Veterinary Hospital and doctors diagnosed him with an OCD lesion on his rear ankle which was causing him pain and discomfort. The tough pup spent 8 weeks recovering and is now doing great.

SRO therapy dog, Rex, in his cast after foot surgery

Another significant concern is these dogs are highly susceptible to a life-threatening condition called bloat. Bloat occurs when a dog's stomach fills with gas, food, or fluid and then twists. It develops without warning and can progress quickly. The condition can be fatal within hours, if not corrected. To prevent this, each dog undergoes a procedure called a gastropexy, where the stomach is stitched to the body wall. K9s Rust, Bodhi and Doc have all made full recoveries from gastropexy surgery. Voq's surgery is in February.

K9 Rust receiving his gastropexy

When it comes to our dogs, their dedication to work, love for their handlers and the positive impact they have on the community makes it clear why we put so much time and effort into their care. They rely on us and we rely on them. Maybe that's why we all believe we have the best dog... and none of us are wrong.

HELP US WIN A POLICE K9 PHOTO CONTEST!

Five of our handlers have entered their dogs to win a winter photo contest by Blue Line Unlimited. Our K9s are:

  1. Rex - school therapy dog (large black lab with boy)
  2. Nuke - bomb dog (in the Sheriff K9 vest)
  3. Riley - school therapy dog (small black lab)
  4. Voq - apprehension and explosives (shown with his handler)
  5. Zeke - school therapy dog (large black lab in the snow)

The K9 with the highest number of votes wins a $500 donation to be used however the law enforcement agency chooses -- for training, equipment, community outreach, etc. Thank you in advance for all your support! 💙🖤

  • Voting begins February 1 and ends February 28
  • Click the button below and type "Arapahoe" in the search bar
  • Look for Riley, Rex, Zeke, Nuke and Voq's photos
  • You can vote once every 24-hours
  • Share your vote on social media and help spread the word!

GUARDIANS OF THE FLAME

Captain tapped as new State Director of Law Enforcement Torch Run

Kevin Heaton carries the Flame of Hope with a Special Olympics athlete during the Law Enforcement Torch Run

20 years ago, Captain Kevin Heaton volunteered to work at a Tip-A-Cop event for Special Olympics Colorado. It was then, he knew he had found his passion.

"I was so inspired by the athletes, it made me want to do more for them," says Captain Kevin Heaton.
Heaton poses with Special Olympics athlete Tori Smith at the 2022 Summer Games

Over the years, Heaton became more and more involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Colorado. Special Olympics provides athletic opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. He was soon promoted to Agency Coordinator, tasked with getting deputies to participate in events. Then, he became the Deputy Director for Arapahoe County, and now, he's the new State Director for Colorado. The announcement was made at the State Kickoff Conference on January 27, when Heaton received the flame from the previous State Director.

Former DCSO Sheriff Tony Spurlock passes the Flame of Hope to ACSO Captain Kevin Heaton. The flame symbolizes lighting the way for acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities.
"I feel we can all learn how to be better officers, co-workers and individuals from these athletes. They deal with physical and mental challenges every day and face them head on. They don't make excuses or displace blame. They take responsibility and strive to better themselves every day," says Heaton.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is a partnership between law enforcement and Special Olympics Colorado to raise money and empower athletes. Last year, LETR raised $1.6 million for Special Olympics Colorado. The Ford F-150 truck raffle, which Captain Heaton helped launch, raised a half a million dollars.

"When we as officers think we want to give up or something is too difficult, these athletes show us what determination is. They're an inspiration. They remind us what values are important in life and they show us what strength and courage is all about," says Heaton.

Known as Guardians of the Flame, members of law enforcement and Special Olympics athletes carry the Flame of Hope at local competitions like the annual Torch Run.

Over the years, the Torch Run has evolved and now encompasses a variety of fundraising platforms to include Plane Pull, Polar Plunge, Tip-A-Cop and more.

Plane Pull
Polar Plunge
Tip-A-Cop

Heaton will serve a two-year term as the new LETR State Director. To learn more about the partnership between law enforcement and Special Olympics Colorado, click the button below.

SHERIFF APPOINTS FIRST FEMALE BUREAU CHIEF

Congratulations to Laurie Halaba, who was sworn in as the first female Bureau Chief in the Sheriff's Office's 165-year history. Chief Halaba joined the ACSO in 1999 as a deputy sheriff. She has worked in detentions, patrol, internal affairs and was a school resource officer. In 2014, she was appointed as the first female Captain in ACSO history. Now as Bureau Chief, she will oversee the Public Safety Bureau and the law enforcement contract with the City of Centennial.

Law enforcement is a family affair. Her husband is a deputy with the Denver Sheriff's Department, her daughter is a deputy with the ACSO and her son is an Explorer with the ACSO.

Left to Right: Halaba's daughter, Deputy Elisabeth Pevler, son Tyler Riedmuller, husband Denver Sheriff's Deputy Robert Losciale and Chief Laurie Halaba.
"Laurie is a consummate professional when it comes to being a member of our command staff. She's been an example for so many and she’s the right person for this position. She's an inspiration to people at the Sheriff’s Office and to many young women in law enforcement. This is an exciting moment for all of us," says Sheriff Tyler Brown.

Click the button below to read more about Chief Halaba's career in the Centennial Citizen newspaper.

SECOND ACADEMY CLASS NEARLY DOUBLES IN SIZE

January 9 was opening day of our first academy class of the new year and only the second class for the new Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office Training Academy. Our new police academy launched in June 2022 with 24 recruits. The second class has grown to 39 recruits. Sheriff Tyler Brown says the idea behind starting our own academy was to teach the ACSO culture from the start.

"If we're going to start training people, let's train them to P.O.S.T standards from the very beginning, then we don't have to worry about them applying other places and leaving our great agency," said Sheriff Brown.
Sheriff Brown addresses new recruits on their first day of the academy

These recruits are in their fourth week of a 23-week training program to become deputy sheriffs. The class will graduate in June 2023.

Click HERE to watch Denver 7's interview with Training Instructor Lt. Craig Reams and HERE to read more about why we launched our new police academy.

Honor Guard raises the flag at the ACSO Memorial Site
Lt. Craig Reams and new recruits salute the raising of the flag

BECOME A VICTIM ADVOCATE VOLUNTEER

Are you looking for a way to give back to your community? Why not volunteer as a Victim Advocate. If selected, you'll work with crime victims to offer support and counseling. It takes a special person to do a job like this -- one with compassion and a big heart.

Volunteer Victim Advocates attend a training academy where they learn the skills and information needed to become a Law Enforcement Victim Advocate. Our next academy starts on April 11 and ends May 13. Classes are held Tuesday evenings from 6-9pm and Saturdays from 8am-1pm. Victim Advocates will learn about the Coroner’s Office, domestic violence shelters, hear from Investigators and learn how to work with victims who have experienced a traumatic event.

If you have any questions, please contact Renee Grengs at 720-874-3940 or rgrengs@arapahoegov.com. Click below to apply now! The position closes February 7.

CONGRATULATIONS SHERIFF BROWN

On January 9, Sheriff Tyler Brown was sworn into his second term as the 42nd Sheriff of Arapahoe County.

"I would not have been able to do this job without the support of my family, my amazing command staff, the men and women of the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, all of our municipal partners, and especially the City of Centennial," said Sheriff Brown. "These men and women have set the standard of what it's like to be a law enforcement officer."

Sheriff Brown vows to continue more programs to help citizens, such as school therapy dogs and the mental health co-responder program. Congratulations Sheriff Brown on four more years in office!

Sheriff Brown is sworn into his second term by 18th Judicial District Chief Judge Michelle Amico at The Arapahoe County Fairgrounds and Event Center