New Hero K9 Found Missing Teen Just Weeks After Training: PD

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — There's a new K9 unit in Suffolk County, and he's already done a lot to earn his kibble.

This week, Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon welcomed the newest K9, Hondo, to the force. Sheriff Toulon presented Hondo with his official shield, and Hondo showcased his pawtastic skills, including a drug search and an apprehension demonstration.

"We are excited to welcome Hondo as our newest four-legged member of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office. Just weeks after his training, he already completed a successful missing person search and we look forward to all the future investigative work he will do to keep our county safe," Toulon said.

Hondo, Toulon said, is a 1-year-old German Shepherd who received 8 months of training in detecting drugs, patroling, searching buildings, and locating missing or wanted individuals. Hondo will also do traffic patrol with the Sheriff’s Office’s DWI unit, Toulon said.

Weeks after completing his 8-month training, Hondo assisted in tracking down a missing individual in Riverhead; he was vital in helping find the missing teenager who fled on foot from the County Court complex and was shortly found behind electrical components in a wooded area, Toulon said.

Hondo joins a force of two other deputy sheriff K-9s and three correction office K9s.