Ripley County K9, handler win awards at multi-state competition

Deputy Justin Bachelor and K9 Dex

(SCOTTSVILLE, KY.) – Ripley County’s K9 won two awards at a multi-state competition in Kentucky last week. 

The competition involved K9 and their handlers from departments in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia. 

Deputy Justin Bachelor and K9 Dex competed in various patrol and narcotic scenarios. 

The team won first place in Hard Dog/Fast Dog, which takes place in an open field with a decoy with a bite suit on. The handler deploys the K9 and judges score how fast the dog gets to the decoy and how hard he hits the decoy. 

Bachelor was also awarded the Gene England Award, which is given to a handler who goes above and beyond to make their community, fellow officers, and their K9 partner safer while having an outstanding positive and professional attitude. 

Dex was donated to the Ripley County Sheriff’s Department last year by Chris Kelly and his son, Caleb, who owns Mid-America Industrial.