The Ontario County Sheriff's Office has added Obi, an eight-week-old German Shorthaired Pointer, to its K-9 Unit.
Sheriff David Cirencione said Obi has been paired with Deputy Patrick Fitzgerald, a 27-year veteran of the sheriff's office who has served more than 22 years in road patrol.
Fitzgerald most recently worked with K-9 Sandy, who retired earlier this year after a distinguished career with the sheriff's office.
Obi will complete an extensive training program before becoming certified in narcotics detection, tracking and article searches.
After certification, Obi will support law enforcement operations throughout Ontario County and assist neighboring agencies when requested, according to the sheriff's office.
The sheriff's office said Obi's name was selected by Fitzgerald on May 4 as a nod to "Star Wars Day."
"Our K-9 Unit is an invaluable resource for both the Sheriff's Office and the communities we serve," Cirencione said. "We're excited to welcome Obi to the team and look forward to watching him develop into a highly trained law enforcement partner under Deputy Fitzgerald's guidance."
The sheriff's office said it remains committed to investing in specialized training and resources that enhance public safety in Ontario County.
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