K9 Unit

The Tiffin Police Department’s current K-9 is a Belgian Malinois named Leo, born in summer of 2022 in Poland.

K9 Leo was selected by handler Officer Elizabeth Miller in August of 2023 and they completed 6 weeks of training together in Pennsylvania the fall of the same year. Leo has completed training in order to detect narcotics, apprehend suspects, search buildings and for missing people.

K9 Andy was a Belgian Malinois, born March 2011. K9 Andy was named after two fallen Ohio Officers: State Trooper Andy Baldridge and Sandusky PD Officer Andy Dunn and was purchased from Mohawks Malinois in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

K9 Andy was partnered with Sergeant Jake DeMonte in March 2012. They trained for 6 weeks at Lynnwoods Kennels in Fremont, Ohio. They are certified through the State of Ohio (OPOTA), and North American Police Work Dog Association (NAPWDA) in both patrol work and detection work.

K9 Andy lived a long life with Sgt. DeMonte and his family and passed away in December of 2023.

• Only 8 months of service due to vehicle being down in 2016
• 71 times K9 was utilized in 2016 (Vehicle Sniffs, Search Warrant Sniffs, School Sniffs, Article Searches, Demos, Tracking, Building Searches, Officer Safety)
• 878.88 uses per month
• 4 area school sniffs
• 5 Demonstrations
• 429 Calls for Service
• 107 Calls for service on average a year since activated

In 2007, Sgt. Jake DeMonte was paired with the department’s fourth dog, K9 Tommy, a dual purpose Dutch Shepherd. K9 Tommy was purchased at Vohne Liche Kennels and was paired with Sgt. DeMonte until October 2011 when he was diagnosed with lymphoma. K9 Tommy received a Distinguished Service medal from Chief LaGrange for his numerous arrests, assists and demonstrations over the course of his career. Sadly, K9 Tommy passed away in February 2012 after succumbing to the disease.

In 2001, Ofc. Dave Horn was paired with his second partner, K9 Rex, a 2 year old male Belgian Malinois. In November 2001, K9 Rex and Ofc. Horn received a special commendation from the Chief of Police Dave LaGrange for the successful apprehension of a felony suspect.

Ofc. Horn and K9 Rex worked as an accomplished K-9 Team until 2004 when Ofc. Horn handed over the K9 program to Ofc. Joe Feld. Ofc. Feld and K9 Rex worked as a K9 Team from 2004 to 2007, until K9 Rex’s retirement.

Ofc. Horn and K-9 Frits were partners until 2001 when K-9 Frits retired. From 2001 to 2005 K-9 Frits was a member of Ofc. Horn’s family and a beloved pet. Sadly, K-9 Frits passed away in November 2005.

Tiffin Police Department’s first K-9 Team was comprised of Ofc. Mike Marquis and K-9 Cora, a female German Shepherd. K-9 Cora was from Germany, and was brought to America to work as a Police Service Dog. They received their training at the Alabama K-9 Law Enforcement Center. They worked as a team from 1990 to 1995, when K-9 Cora was injured during a felony apprehension and could no longer work. Sadly, K-9 Cora passed away in November 1998.

In 1995, Ofc. Mike Marquis was paired with his second partner, K-9 Frits, a male Dutch Shepherd. K-9 Frits was also born in Holland and brought to America to be a Police Service Dog, and was purchased from Vohne Liche Kennels. They worked as a K-9 team until 1997, when Ofc. Marquis was assigned to the detective division. K-9 Frits was then partnered with Ofc. Dave Horn. They received 6 weeks of training at Lynnwood Kennels in Fremont Ohio. Ofc. Marquis was a trainer during Ofc. Horn’s class.