New drug dog utilized by Sheriff's Department

October 26, 2006

By BEN GARRETT
INDEPENDENT HERALD EDITOR

HUNTSVILLE — Sheriff Anthony Lay is introducing his department’s newest officer: J.J., the department’s new drug dog.

A two-year-old black labrador retriever, J.J. was born in Scott County. He was originally donated to the Sheriff’s Department when Sgt. “John John” Yancey was shot and killed in the line of duty during a Williams Creek Road meth lab bust in 2003. The family who donated J.J. gave him to the Sheriff’s Department in honor and memory of “John John,” hence the name J.J.

“J.J. is more than a drug dog; he is a symbol of all that is good. As we continue to wage this war on drugs, he is the shining example of a crime fighter,” the sheriff’s department said in a written statement. “As a trusted, valuable member of the Scott County Sheriff’s Department, J.J. works diligently with handler Kris Lewallen to serve our community by helping us with the fight against illegal drugs.

“J.J. is doing what he loves to do, which is help rid Scott County of narcotics and put drug dealers behind bars,” the statement continued.

Lewallen was sent to Canine Training School in July. Together, Lewallen and J.J. completed a six-week training course in Narcotic K-9 Handling.

J.J. is able to detect marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine and crack cocaine. He bagan work with the sheriff’s department on September 1, when Sheriff Lay took office.

“I am proud to add another tool to our work force to rid our community of deadly, dangerous drugs,” Lay said. “K-9s are a huge help to the police force. They can find drugs when human police officers can’t.”

Both Lewallen and J.J. are certified as a Narcotics K-9 Team in the state of Tennessee.

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