Student Resource Officer Jeff Shoemaker has a new partner, K9 Sky, who will accompany him at the UCCCJSD schools this year.

Sky is a single-purpose K9, which means she is a specially-trained dog dedicated to performing a specific task or set of tasks. She’s not an aggressive security dog but rather a dog trained to work with narcotics and firearms detection.

“We didn’t want a security dog in case someone came at me, and she thought it was a threat,” Shoemaker explained. “We, of course, didn’t want anyone getting hurt.”

Sky began her training on June 16 and graduated on July 5. She underwent a rigorous process during her training, including specialized techniques, intensive exercises, scent training and obedience drills. This ensures she can perform her designated tasks with precision and reliability, providing a sense of security to the officers and the community.

“She can go out on calls if an officer needs a vehicle or house check,” Major Deputy Dale Dishmond explained. “She can do open-air searches as well. So if we are in pursuit of someone who throws out a gun or drugs we can use her to help locate it. She is extremely good at it.” 

Sky is two years old and from Poland. She even has her own passport. Shoemaker was recently certified as a K9 handler but said Sky has trained him. 

“It’s fun every minute,” Shoemaker said. “She amazes me every time I take her out. I took her into the school to get her familiarized, and she went straight to work checking the lockers.” 

Shoemaker joined the Union County Sheriff’s Department in December of 2023 after retiring from the Richmond Police Department, where he served the community for 21 years. 

Jeff Shoemaker is an awesome guy,” Sheriff Jeff Adams said. “ We’ve known each other a long time, and he is a huge asset. I think having Sky involved will be a big deterrent to illegal activities. We want to be proactive instead of reactive.”