Washington County Sheriff Dan Starry, Commissioner Stan Karwoski, Commissioner Fran Miron, Commissioner Karla Bigham, Deputy Sheriffs Josh Liebenow, Brandon Yetter, Nate Thienes, and Chris Majeski, Commissioner Michelle Clasen, Sergeant Ty Jacobson, and Commissioner Gary Kriesel. Also pictured K9 Goose. Photo: Contributed.

Washington County K9 Unit Wins National Award

by Staff Reports
Published December 12, 2024

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit won first place for Department Team in the 2024 United States Police Canine Association National Patrol Dog Field Trials held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in October. It was the second year in a row the unit won that national championship.

Deputy Nate Theines and K9 Goose, Deputy Brandon Yetter and K9 Huck, Deputy Josh Liebenow and K9 Viking, and Deputy Chris Majeski and K9 Jake. Photo: Contributed.

County K9 teams participating were Deputy Chris Majeski and K9 Jake, Deputy Brandon Yetter and K9 Huck, Deputy Nate Thienes and K9 Goose, and Deputy Josh Liebenow and K9 Viking.

Deputy Yetter and K9 Huck were awarded the Individual National Champion for the second year in a row. The county’s K9 teams also won several individual awards in many of the events. Nate Thienes and K9 Goose placed fourth, and Josh Liebenow and K9 Viking placed 10th individually overall.

The competition involved 67 K9 teams from 13 states. The Washington County Board of Commissioners honored the teams at a recent board meeting.