Sheriff’s Corner: What’s Happening in February 2022

The Denton County Sheriff’s Office currently has two police dogs, commonly referred to as K-9s. Our K-9 teams have been responsible for numerous seizures of illegal drugs, arrests of persons trafficking and using illegal drugs, and criminal apprehensions.

K9 Maximus (Max) is a Belgian Malinois and was born on April 17th, 2017 in The Netherlands.  Six months later Max was purchased by World Wide Canine, Inc., located in Spring Branch, Texas.  On July 21st, 2018 Max was purchased by The Denton County Sheriff’s Office and after his six weeks of training was placed in service. Max is trained to locate illegal narcotics and patrol work which includes, Tracking Article Searches for physical evidence and apprehension which includes chasing a fleeing suspect and biting them if needed. Max currently trains 16 hours a month for The Sheriff’s Office and an additional 24 hours a month on his personal time with a professional decoy.  This additional work keeps Max extremely sharp while on duty.  Max and his handler Deputy Joe Salvato are a great team.  Max resides with the Salvato family and when he isn’t on duty at the Sheriff’s Office Max gets along great with Deputy Salvato’s two daughters, grandchildren, and four
German Shepards.

Max holds the following certifications:

USPCA for Patrol Work

NPCA for Narcotics

NNDDA for Narcotics

K9 Aico is our rookie K9.  Aico is a German Shepard and was born on October 13, 2018, in The Netherlands. K9 Aico came to the United States shortly after birth to begin his police K9 training.  K9 Aico trained at US K9 Unlimited in Louisiana.  Deputy Corey Halfmann joined Aico for a five-week Dual Purpose Handler School last March.  After completing the course, K9 Aico joined the Halfmann family and started work for the Denton County Sheriff’s Office.

Max and Aico are a tremendous asset to the Sheriff’s Office and in keeping Denton County safe and crime-free.