Wayne County Sheriff’s Office has recently announced the addition of two new K-9 units to the force, Ruby and Romeo, handled by Deputies Megan King and Catlin Fitzgerald respectively.
This introduction marks a historic moment as King and Fitzgerald become the first female K-9 officers in the department’s history. Ruby, a well-trained bloodhound, will aid the office in tracking missing persons and criminal suspects, while Romeo, a 19-month-old black lab, will partake in community outreach programs, visiting local schools and organizations.
King, a fourth-year veteran with the Sheriff’s Office, and a lifelong Wayne County resident, has developed a special bond with Ruby, highlighting the importance of a close relationship between K-9 officers and their handlers. Meanwhile, Fitzgerald and Romeo will soon head to Florida for training to become a certified therapy team, with plans to begin local visits in June.
The K-9 units, which have been donated to the Sheriff’s Office, depend on community support and fundraising, including an annual steak roast organized by local firefighters. The Sheriff’s Office now boasts five K-9 units, assisting not only the local office but other agencies across New York State as well.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected]