Name Unveiled For New K-9 Officer In Somerset County

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Somerset County Sheriff's Office's newest K-9 officer has a name following a contest that received more than a thousand entries.

The male yellow Labrador retriever will be named "Patriot," announced Sheriff Darrin J. Russo announced on Friday.

The winning name was selected by two entrants, sixth grader Timmy Miessler from Branchburg and Ruthanne Ungerleider, a Certified Shorthand Reporter from Bedminster.

"We’re thrilled to have K-9 Patriot join our growing K-9 Unit in the fight against opioids and other illegal drugs in our community, and in other communities in partnership with state and federal agencies," said Russo. "We’re grateful to the public for all their suggestions, and are proud to have selected 'Patriot' as his new name as a Somerset County K-9 Officer."

Patriot will be taking on the role held by retiring 12-year-old German Shepherd K-9 Apex, who will continue to live with Officer David Daneker.

K-9 Patriot will join Apex at home and Daneker in the field fighting the opioid epidemic. Patriot is trained to smell and identify the location of illegal drugs such as fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamines, and cocaine.

Somerset County’s K-9 Unit was established in 2002 and has more than doubled under Russo to nine K-9 officers and six skilled handlers.

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