K9 Unit

K9 Teg & K9 Jocko

The Delta County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit consists of Deputy Mimi Savage, K9 Jocko, Deputy Devan Ruble, and K9 Teg. In 2023, the Sheriff's Office had the opportunity to bring a second K9 team onto patrol to double the Sheriff's Office's fight against illegal drug activity in the County through the addition of Deputy Savage and K9 Jocko.

Team Jocko

Jocko is a five-year-old Belgian Malinois and German Shepard Mix male dog who is full of energy and enjoys his job! Jocko loves to run around the office and greet employees, play tug-of-war with his toys with deputies, and is a great addition to the office. Deputy Mimi Savage is K9 Jocko's handler and caretaker and joined the Delta County Sheriff's Office in 2023 after serving several years as a K9 handler with the Montrose County Sheriff's Office in the West End (Nucla and Naturita area). K9 Jocko is certified in narcotics detection for drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl.

Team Teg

Teg is a 5-year-old German Shepard and was purchased by the Sheriff's Office in 2020 and was previously partnered with Sargent Sanders. In early 2024, Sargent Sanders took another career path, and Sargent Sanders was given the opportunity to purchase Teg from the Sheriff's Office but Keith recognized the importance of Teg to the county in continuing our fight against illegal narcotics and assisting with criminal apprehension in the County. In March 2024, Sheriff Taylor and Undersheriff Archibeque announced the promotion of Deputy Devan Ruble to K9 Handler who took over handler duties for K9 Teg. Similar to Jocko, Teg is also certified in illegal drug detection. Deputy Ruble has been with the Sheriff's Office since April 2021 and recently completed K9 Handler training alongside K9 Teg and is on patrol with Teg.

Look for Deputy Savage and K9 Jocko and Deputy Ruble and K9 Teg out and about at community events starting in the summer of 2024!

K-9 Benefits

In law enforcement today, Officers are met with many obstacles and challenges, making life-threatening decisions in a split second. Statistics show that when a law enforcement K9 team arrives on the scene, nine out of 10 people surrender peacefully. That is a win for the officers and the community.

The K9 Unit would like the community to remember this…The K9 is the only tool available to officers today that once deployed can be recalled, and more importantly, K9 is a tool that cannot be used against the officer by a suspect! The Delta County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit is committed to serving the Delta County community in the fight against drugs and crime.

Donating to the K9 Unit

Outside of the salary paid to Deputy Savage and Deputy Ruble which is covered by the Sheriff's Office, the K9 Unit is primarily funded by donations. The donations cover the cost of special training, equipment, and K9 medical expenses. Donations are always welcome and very much appreciated!

To donate, you can mail a donation to:
Delta County Sheriff's Office
Attn: K9 Unit
211 W 6th Street
Delta, CO 81416

Checks can be made to the Delta County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit.