BY NICOLE BOWMAN-LAYTON
One of the newest members of the Chowan County Sheriff’s Office has already proven his value to the agency in the field.
K-9 Rambo works with handler, Deputy Danielle Colon, as a fully training and certified dual-purpose K-9.
According to the National Police Dog Foundation, dual-purpose K-9s can perform patrol and detection duties.
Patrol duties includes activities such as tracking, handler protection, off-leash obedience, criminal apprehension and searching for suspects. Detection duties include finding narcotics, explosives, or other contraband.
According to the Chowan County Sheriff’s Office, Rambo has had several positive alerts for narcotics within vehicles and other locations leading to arrests of those allegedly involved in illegal activity.
Rambo and Colon participated in a search-and-rescue training held on March 13 in the area between ECU Chowan Hospital, North Granville Street and the Chowan County Public Safety Center on West Freemason Street. Organized by the Edenton Fire Department, the training also included Edenton Police Department and Chowan County EMS.
Rambo was able to locate the simulated missing person quickly and safely, the Sheriff’s Office said.
K-9s have served within the Sheriff’s Office since 1996, starting with Rex (1996-2006). Other K-9 officers include Rico (2004-2018), Dany (2006-2014), and Ledo (2013-2024).
Recently, K-9 Rambo received a bullet and stab protective vest donated be the Mona Pants Foundation, based in Zebulon. The foundation has been raising funds to donate K-9 vests to law enforcement agencies since 2015.
“We believe that all working canines deserve the same protection as their human partners,” the foundation’s website says. “The vests protect K-9 Officers from bullets, stab wounds, explosives, and blunt-force trauma such as kicking. They are custom fit to allow for superior comfort and protection and they can be pricey. Because many departments do not have the budget to supply this life-saving equipment, we have made it our mission to purchase the vests for these brave dogs.”
“This vest will provide invaluable protection for K-9 Rambo as he continues to serve and protect our community,” said the Sheriff’s Office. “Our office is excited about the opportunities that K-9 Rambo and Deputy Colon bring to the residents of Chowan County.”