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DECATUR COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) — The Decatur County Sheriff’s Office is adding a cutting-edge tool to its investigative team: a highly specialized Electronic Detection K9, marking a first for Southwest Georgia.

The new K9, named Dutchess, was generously donated by Defenders for Children, an organization committed to supporting law enforcement in the fight against crimes such as sex trafficking, child exploitation, and online predators.

According to DCSO, Dutchess, handled by Lt. Charles King is trained to locate hidden electronic devices, including micro-SD cards, external hard drives, covert cameras, and other equipment that often holds key evidence in serious criminal cases.

“These devices can contain vast amounts of critical evidence that is often difficult for investigators to find,” the Sheriff’s Office explained. “One micro-SD card alone can store hundreds of thousands of abusive images, making Dutchess an invaluable resource in holding offenders accountable and protecting victims.”

Sheriff’s officials say this addition represents a major step forward in their ability to detect concealed electronic evidence, helping to ensure justice for victims of these heinous crimes.

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