Facebook reports: ’Hi there. K-9 Cooper here …’

Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office canine in rigorous training to become a certified K-9 police dog

By Bob Smith • August 15, 2020 1:30 am
KCSO photo K-9 Cooper was given his name in honor of fallen Pierce County Sheriff’s Office deputy Cooper Dyson, who died in the line of duty on Dec. 21 while helping his partners during a domestic violence incident.
KCSO photo K-9 Cooper was given his name in honor of fallen Pierce County Sheriff’s Office deputy Cooper Dyson, who died in the line of duty on Dec. 21 while helping his partners during a domestic violence incident.

With a little help from a human, a young German shepherd named Cooper is telling his story on the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook page as he progresses through basic training toward receiving his police K-9 certification.

The energetic canine has been going through his paces with KCSO deputy A. Baker this week following his recent arrival from the Czech Republic. K-9 Cooper is his newly appointed name, a moniker that was chosen to honor a fallen law enforcement officer who worked as a deputy for the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputy Cooper Dyson, who was described by friends and family as “a man who lived his life for the service of others above himself,” died in the line of duty on Dec. 21 as he rushed to help his partners during a domestic violence incident.

In K-9 Cooper’s Facebook accounting of his first night of training, he “wrote” that he was honored to be called “Cooper” and “will carry on deputy Dyson’s legacy of service and commitment to keeping our community safe.”

Cooper is going through a 12-week training schedule as he progresses to eventually replace veteran K-9 Heiko, “who will be wagging his tail into retirement soon … talk about big paws to fill.”

Baker and Heiko have been mainstays at the Kitsap County Fair, where they have given K-9 presentations to fairgoers over the years.

According to his Facebook post last week, Cooper has gotten some training tips and a boost of confidence from a fellow canine officer: “I’m pretty lucky. I’ve got a friend named K-9 Blue, and he’s been helping me. K-9 Blue gets to actually look for those who run from the law, but I’ve got a ways to go before my handler will let me do that.”

Prior to the start of K-9 training last week, Cooper and his handler and family took a vacation to the ocean for a bonding experience. “It was so much fun,” the bright-eyed shepherd stated in his blog.

He promises to keep his fans and members of the community updated on his progress during training.

The deputy-dog-in-training’s arrival in Kitsap was made possible by donations from area residents, AKC Reunite, Peninsula Dog Fanciers’ Club and Sandra Hill Charitable Foundation.

KCSO photo Bright-eyed K-9 Cooper and his handler, deputy A. Baker of Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office (at right), pose alongside K-9 Blue and his handler during a nighttime training session last week.

KCSO photo Bright-eyed K-9 Cooper and his handler, deputy A. Baker of Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office (at right), pose alongside K-9 Blue and his handler during a nighttime training session last week.

Facebook reports: ’Hi there. K-9 Cooper here …’

KCSO photo Bright-eyed K-9 Cooper and his handler, deputy A. Baker of Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office (at right), pose alongside K-9 Blue and his handler during a nighttime training session last week.