MARIES COUNTY — The Maries County Sheriff’s Office, while under the direction of former Sheriff Chis Heitman, announced Dennis Jasper and his K9 partner, Ninja, have recently attained certification as a search and recovery K9 team.

“This achievement stands out as Ninja was specifically trained and funded by Jasper, distinguishing this process from our acquisition of other K9 units,” Heitman said. “Search and Recovery K9s play a crucial role in law enforcement, particularly in locating individuals who are lost or missing, such as children and vulnerable adults. The benefits of having a trained Search and Recovery K9 like Ninja in our arsenal are significant.” These specialized canines possess an extraordinary ability to detect scents that may be imperceptible to human search efforts, allowing them to cover ground more quickly and effectively.

“The accomplishments of Jasper and K9 Ninja will greatly enhance our operational capabilities and provide invaluable support not only to our command but also to surrounding communities,” Heitman continued. “Their dedication and expertise will significantly increase our ability to recover missing persons, bringing peace of mind to families and reinforcing the trust our communities place in us.”

Although Heitman left the sheriff’s office on Jan. 1 to the newly elected sheriff, he believes adding Jasper and K9 Ninja to the team will be a benefit.

“Overall, the addition of K9 Ninja to our search and recovery efforts symbolizes our commitment to innovative and effective law enforcement practices,” Heitman said. “We look forward to the positive impact that Dennis Jasper and Ninja will undoubtedly make in our ongoing mission to ensure safety and security for all.”