Broward Sheriff’s Office K-9 Deputy Kelli Covet and Her K-9 Partner, Anthem, Named Jimmy Ryce K-9 Trailing Team of the Year
Exemplary Service to the Community
Broward Sheriff’s Office K-9 Deputy Kelli Covet and her K-9 partner, Anthem, were recently named the Jimmy Ryce K-9 Trailing Team of the Year! The award comes after they rescued a non-verbal child from imminent danger last December.
A Critical Search Operation
According to reports, shortly before 11 p.m., on Thursday, Dec. 14, BSO deputies were urgently dispatched to a residence in unincorporated Central Broward near Ft. Lauderdale in response to a critical report of a missing 9-year-old child with special needs.
Challenging Conditions
Given the child’s vulnerability, compounded by the challenges of a densely populated residential area interspersed with numerous waterways, and further complicated by adverse weather conditions with high winds averaging 25 mph, traditional aviation search methods were rendered infeasible. The search operation thus relied on the specialized skills of K9 units. Deputy Covet, accompanied by her 2-year-old bloodhound, K-9 Anthem, were among the first responders to the scene.
A Creative Solution
Recognizing the urgency, Deputy Covet ingeniously used sterile gauze to absorb the child’s scent from one of his shoes, creating an effective scent article for K-9 Anthem. He confidently navigated the trail, initially heading west and then north along a residential street, skillfully contending with the gusty winds. The search path then led east on a different residential street where the child was safely located and returned to his family.
Nomination and Award
In nominating Deputy Covet and K-9 Anthem for the Florida Missing Children’s Day 2023-2024 Jimmy Ryce Trailing Team of the Year Award, their supervisor wrote that “Deputy Covet’s exemplary dedication, combined with K-9 Anthem’s impeccable tracking ability, not only ensured the swift and safe recovery of a vulnerable child but also underscored the indispensable value of their service to the community and BSO. Their actions are a testament to the highest standards of law enforcement and public safety.”
About BSO’s Bloodhound Unit
BSO’s Bloodhound Unit searches for the most vulnerable missing people in the county – children, the elderly, people with special needs and people living with mental illness. The bloodhounds, with their superior tracking skills, use a variety of tracking techniques to carry out searches.
Conclusion
The award is a testament to the exceptional skills and dedication of Deputy Covet and K-9 Anthem, as well as the entire BSO Bloodhound Unit. Their work is a vital part of the community’s safety and well-being.
FAQs
Q: What is the Jimmy Ryce K-9 Trailing Team of the Year Award?
A: The award is given annually to recognize the outstanding work of K-9 teams in search and rescue operations.
Q: What is the BSO Bloodhound Unit?
A: The BSO Bloodhound Unit is a specialized unit that searches for missing people with special needs, including children, the elderly, and people living with mental illness.
Q: What is the purpose of the BSO Bloodhound Unit?
A: The purpose of the BSO Bloodhound Unit is to provide a specialized search and rescue service to the community, using the unique skills of bloodhounds to locate missing individuals.