K9 Unit

Sergeant Keith Sanders and K9 TEG posing with Grand Mesa in Background.

K9 TEG

The Delta County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit consists of Sergeant Keith Sanders and K9 Teg.  Sergeant Sanders has been handling and training K9’s for over 14 years.  He is an instructor with the National Police Canine Association and is a member of the Colorado Police Canine Association. 

K9 Teg is a German Shepard and is a dual purpose K9, meaning he in trained in illegal narcotics, tracking (dementia patients, lost children, or criminals), area searches, building searches, and criminal apprehension. K9 Teg is a huge asset to the Sheriff’s Office and Delta County. The K9 team participates in many school functions including pet/animal safety and community events. 

Training is a major factor when operating a K9 Unit. The minimum training hours per month, which is a standard recognized by the Courts, is 16 hours. Usually that breaks down into four hours a week. Trainings are held both locally and in neighboring counties. The K9 team is required to certify annually with the Colorado Police Canine Association and the National Police Canine Association. 

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 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 on drugs and crime.  Sergeant Sanders thanks you for your continued support!

Donating to the K9 Unit

Outside of the salary paid to Sergeant Sanders which is covered by the Sheriff's Office, the K9 Unit and expenses for K9 Teg is primarily funded by donations. The donations cover the cost of special training, equipment, and 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 - Sgt. Sanders
PO Box 172 - 555 Palmer Street
Delta, CO 81416

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

Follow K9 Teg's Activity on Facebook

Sergeant Sanders keeps an active log of K9 Teg's training and other activity on their Facebook page - Delta County Sheriff's Office K9 Unit.

K9 Oxx - End of Watch October 19, 2020

Longtime K9 partner of Sergeant Sanders and beloved member of the Sheriff's Office and community, K9 "Oxx" passed away from his battle with cancer on October 19, 2020. The Sheriff's Office and community will deeply miss Oxx who was loved by all.  Oxx retired from duty on September 19, 2020 after a prestigious 9-year career as a K9 with both the Montrose and Delta County Sheriff's Offices. 

Oxx was a Belgian Malinois and would have been 11-years old in February but was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer which was Oxx's final challenge.  Oxx was a favorite at the Colorado Police K9 Challenges and he took home many awards.  K9 Oxx was a crime fighter, but most of all he was Sergeant Sander's partner, protector and friend.   K9 Oxx was an active member of the Colorado Police Canine Association & the National Police Canine Association during his entire career.  In 2013, K9 Oxx was awarded the Colorado Police Canine Association patrol case of the year. In 2016, Oxx earned the Colorado Police Canine Association Detector Case of the year.  In 2015, Oxx was awarded the National Police Canine Patrol Case of the Quarter. 

Memorial Image Collage for K9 Oxx