Meet the CSO K-9 Unit

By Sheriff Frank Reynolds

The Cherokee Sheriffs Office (CSO) Canine (K-9) Program is recognized as one of the most professional and capable units throughout the state of Georgia. With a team of five handlers and canines, the CSO K-9 Unit is capable of a wide variety of tasks including narcotics identification, evidence recovery, explosives detection, and patrol.

Not only are our K-9 teams looking for bad guys and illegal drugs, but they are one of our most popular community outreach programs. Just ask any Cherokee County student they have probably met one of our four-legged friends.

Sgt. Matt Azaroff is the Unit commander and trainer. He has been in the unit for fifteen years and is a certified National Narcotics Detector Dog Association (NNDDA) certifying official capable of training canines and handlers in narcotics, explosives, and patrol.

Sgt. Azaroff and the CSO K-9 Unit train with other municipal agencies in Cherokee County including the Holly Springs Police Department, commanded by Officer Sam Rentz. Interestingly, prior to retiring from the Sheriffs Office, Officer Rentz helped create and commanded the CSO K-9 Unit from 1992 until 2011.

Recently, the CSO K-9 Unit was fortunate to purchase two new canines through the assistance of Cobb EMC and private donations. Canine Volt is replacing Amp, and canine X-Ray is replacing Yoda. The cost of a single canine, including training, is approximately $10k.

The CSO K-9 Unit typically utilizes Belgian Melinois due to their intense focus, strength, and agility. Other breeds, such as Dutch Shepherds, are also used.

Each canine and handler goes through a rigorous twelve-week training program prior to going into service. The K-9 Unit trains together every week for eight hours, honing their skills and deployment readiness.

Members of the K-9 Unit are assigned large sport utility vehicles to give the canine ample room to move within their kennel. The vehicles are equipped with temperature monitors that remotely notify the handler, activate the horn, and open the windows should the interior temperature rise. The vehicles also carry a variety of tools and equipment, ranging from canine trauma kits to ballistic vests.

Handlers have a unique bond with their canine, which is treated like a member of their family.   At the end of each day, both handler and canine go home together. And when a canine is ready to retire, the handler has the option of permanently keeping their partner.

CSO K-9 Unit

Sgt. Matthew Azaroff/K-9 Maxim
-Serving since 1998    
-K-9 handler for 14.5 years (5 years w/Maxim)
-K-9 Unit Commander for 5 years
-Became NNDDA Certifying Official in 2014 for narcotics, explosives, and patrol (the only explosives certifying official in GA for NNDDA)   
-Maxim is an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois trained in explosives detection and patrol.

Deputy Mark Patterson/K-9 Dyno
-Serving since 2009
-K-9 handler since 2013
-Dyno is a 7-year-old Dutch Shepherd trained in explosives detection and patrol.

Deputy Matthew Verber/K-9 Dixon
-Serving since 2006
-K-9 handler since 2014
-Dixon is an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois trained in narcotics detection, patrol, and evidence recovery.

Deputy Bryan Stark/K-9 X-Ray
-Serving since 2011
-K-9 handler since 2016
-Previous partner, K-9 Yoda, is officially retiring in April.
-X-Ray is 16 months old. He is currently in school and will be certified in narcotics, patrol, and evidence recovery.

Deputy Jack Fulenwider/K-9 Volt
-Serving since 2010
-K-9 handler since July 2016
-Previous partner, K-9 Amp, is officially retiring in April.
-K-9 Volt is 18 months old. He is currently in school and will be certified in narcotics, patrol, and evidence recovery.