K-9 officers from HCSO, GPD awarded badges from Highland County Prosecutor's Office

Four local K-9 officers received badges from the Highland County Prosecutor’s Office and Prosecutor’s Victim/Witness Office in a ceremony held Thursday, Jan. 16 in the Highland County Common Pleas Courtroom.

Badges were presented to Greenfield Police K-9s Cheef (with handler Kyle Flora) and Nitro (handler Jimmy Oyer), as well as Highland County Sheriff’s Office K-9s Dom (handler Dylan Quenneville) and Code (handler Ryan Ross).

“This is something small my office can do to show our appreciation and respect for these amazing K-9 partners and their handlers,” Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins said.

The Highland County Prosecutor’s Office & Prosecutor’s Victim/Witness Office began presenting badges to the K-9 Officers in 2016. At that time, there were four K-9s in the county – one at Hillsboro Police Department, one at the Highland County Sheriff’s Office and two at the Greenfield Police Department.

In 2024, Sheriff Randy Sanders brought two K-9s to the Highland County Sheriff’s Office: Dom, handled by Deputy Dylan Quenneville, and Code, handled by Deputy Ryan Ross.

The Greenfield Police Department has continued its K-9 program throughout the years and currently has three K-9 officers; Cheef, handled by Patrolman Kyle Flora; Nitro, handled by Chief Jimmy Oyer; and Zar, handled by Sgt. Jay Beatty, who is also assigned to the Highland County Task Force.  

All of these K-9s were trained by Dave Johnson, who owns Southern Ohio Police K-9.  Additionally, Johnson has a dual-purpose K-9 and is a special deputy at the Highland County Sheriff’s Office where he and his K-9 are available as needed.  

“We all appreciate the sacrifices these officers make,” Collins said. “Taking on the responsibility of a K-9 means you add a dog to your family, you go through extra continuous training, and you are subject to being called out at any hour.

“The benefit to law enforcement and the community is endless – they search for narcotics and people. These K-9s search schools, vehicles and homes; they assist in finding individuals that try to elude law enforcement; and they assist in searching for lost or endangered citizens. These K-9s are truly an asset.”

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