K-9 Unit - Specialized By Assignment
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DEPUTY DRIFTER - THE THERAPY K-9
Deputy Drifter is a golden retriever who became part of the Pitt County Sheriff's Office family in mid 2021. He was born on August 6, 2018. Drifter was the first of his kind in eastern North Carolina. Drifter tragically passed away on October 31, 2024 after a brief fight with cancer.
Unlike most working law enforcement dogs, Drifter was not trained to locate narcotics, track criminals, or subdue fleeing felons. He was a specially trained therapy dog whose only mission was to love, calm, and help people. He worked a regular shift with his handler, Deputy Chris Curtis. Drifter was a regular sight in the offices around the county courthouse where he interacted with staff members. He assisted anyone who was stressed. He helped crime victims. He helped children and other witnesses who were required to testify in trials but were struggling with the difficulties that go along with doing so. He was a frequent visitor to area schools, senior centers, community events, and just about anywhere else when there was a need. He enjoyed doing tricks for crowds and spending time loving on each person who wanted to meet him.
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You can learn about the impacts he had on Pitt County citizens by watching his memorial service, posted at the link above this article. You can also follow Deputy Drifter's adventures at work on his own personal Facebook page.
www.facebook.com/DeputyDrifter
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For more information on Deputy Drifter please contact his partner at the following.
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Deputy Christopher Curtis
(252) 214-8416
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K-9 Patrol Unit Supervisor​
Sgt. Macon Moore
Patrol Division
E-mail: macon.moore@pittcountync.gov
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K-9 Handler for Deputy Drifter
Deputy Christopher Curtis
(252) 214-8416
E-mail: chris.curtis@pittcountync.gov
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@DeputyDrifter on Facebook
@DeputyDrifter on TikTok

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FREYA - THE DETENTION K-9
Sheriff Paula Dance takes the responsibility of maintaining a detention center that is safe for the inmates, staff, and visitors very seriously. She knows that even one piece of contraband in the hands of an inmate is one too many. Just one could result in the loss of many lives. In 2021, Sheriff Paula Dance added a new tool to the Pitt County Detention Center's focus on safety. Her name is Freya. Freya is a Dutch Shepherd and was less than two years old when she joined our family. She and her partner, Officer Bates, are specially trained in safe, effective, and modern law enforcement K9 techniques in narcotics and contraband detection. She and her partner work full-time at the detention center to help maintain the safe environment everyone deserves.

PATROL DIVISION K-9 UNIT
When people think of law enforcement canines, this group is what usually comes to mind. The Pitt County Sheriff's Office has four K-9 teams assigned to the Patrol Division, answering calls for service, working special assignments, and meeting the needs of both the citizens and other local law enforcement officers. Each team consists of a K-9 Handler/Deputy Sheriff and a multi-purpose trained law enforcement dog. Each K-9 is specially trained in obedience, agility, narcotics detection, article search, tracking, building searches, and apprehension. The K-9 Handler undergoes extensive training with the K-9 as well. The training goes beyond the initial course and continues on a regular basis throughout the work life of the dedicated animal.
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Other Patrol K-9s: Photos To Be Added Soon
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Keno: Malinois
Rex: German Shepherd
Rocky: German Shepherd