Racine County Sheriff's Office welcomes newest K-9, gives thanks to family who helped him get there
RACINE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A day after Racine County K-9 took down a suspected drunk driver who police say was attempting to grab their weapon, deputies welcomed the newest member of their team, giving thanks to the family who helped get him here.
This is K-9 Clyde, a nearly two-year-old German Shepherd mix, now part of the Racine County family.
"I'd say pretty emotional. I don't know," said Noah Bliss, son of Kenosha County Sheriff's Detective Jeff Bliss.
Noah Bliss and his mom, Monica, are the reason Clyde's here, a purchase from Hungary, his commands all in Dutch.
"I saw a Facebook post from the Racine County Sheriff's Department that said that they had lost one of their canines," said Monica Bliss, wife of Kenosha County Sheriff's Detective Jeff Bliss.
K-9 Nox passed away in April of 2023. The Bliss family, also dealing with loss, felt moved to help. Their sizeable donations in memory of Monica Bliss' husband, Kenosha County Sheriff's Detective Jeff Bliss, who passed away suddenly in the prime of his life, at age 46. His son wears his dad's badge number around his neck.
"It kind of gave me a purpose that I wanted to go after so," said Monica Bliss.
"He cared about his job a ton," said Noah Bliss.
The Blisses spent this, the two-year anniversary of Jeff's untimely death, surrounded by something they know he would love.
"I feel like we're adding a happy memory to what was a tragic day," said Monica Bliss.
We got to watch K-9 Clyde in action, searching from room to room for a suspect hiding in a closet.
In recent years, Racine County's had two K-9's retire and three passed away. With K-9 Clyde, they're back up to seven.
"When I came on board as sheriff in 2011, we had one canine. I felt to have more than just on duty at all times would be very beneficial to our community and potentially save lives," said Racine County Sheriff Chris Schmaling.
Just last night, Sgt. Anthony Valenti stopped a suspected drunk driver with four prior OWI's who took off running.
"We took him down to the ground and he continued to reach for my partner's belt. So, at that time, I hit my popper which is button that I carry on my vest, and it opens the squad from a distance so that my dog can come out," said Sgt. Valenti, handler of K-9 Stax.
The K-9 program is donation funded. If you'd like to help out, just give the Racine County Sheriff's Office a call and tell them you'd like to donate to the K-9 fund at 262-636-3822.