Deputy Blitz Von Der Furcht Innen
"Blitz"

A desire of the Heart of America Kennel Club to continue its record of community service projects in its official territory of Jackson County, Missouri (largest city is Kansas City), led to its purchase of a trained narcotics detection/patrol support canine for the K-9 Unit of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. The dog, named “Blitz”, is an AKC registered, 2 1/2 year-old male German Shepherd Dog that replaces another dog that was recently retired due to age after a highly successful career.

Club members Janet and Dick Rees had canvassed local law enforcement agencies for any K-9 Unit needs the agencies might have that were unfunded and prepared a proposal for consideration by the club’s board of directors. The approved proposal included a narcotics safe to be installed in an area police department’s patrol car and building materials to complete another department’s K-9 Unit obstacle and training course that is used by most area K-9 Units along with the purchase of Blitz as a gift to the Sheriff’s Office.

Presentation of the gift took place on May 27, 2009 at the club’s regular meeting and was complete with appropriate festivities including a huge sheet cake inscribed “HOAKC Presents ‘BLITZ’ to the Jackson Co. Sheriff’s K-9 Unit.” In accepting the dog from President Bob Goodin, Sheriff Mike Sharp stated, “We appreciate this gift more than your members can imagine since it prevented the potential end of our K-9 Unit due to lack of funds. It can be said that during his career, Blitz will probably save an officer’s life while in the line of duty.”

President Goodin’s comments during the presentation ceremony best sum up the feelings of club members in making the gift possible when Bob stated, “The Heart of America Kennel Club recognizes the importance of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office to the region and the value of its trained K-9 Unit. We are delighted to be able to assist with their need to replace a valued K-9 Unit member and offer our best wishes for a long and highly successful career for Blitz and his handler Deputy Jeremy Glines. This gift is especially meaningful to us because our club and the Sheriff’s Office serve the same territory.”

The emotion-packed ceremony was also attended by Colonel Hugh Mills, 2nd in command in the Sheriff’s Office; Sergeant Mike Rogers, Supervisor of the K-9 Unit; Jeff Jones, Assistant to the Sheriff; and Deputy Jeremy Glines, K-9 Unit handler and his teammate Deputy Blitz. Each member of the Sheriff’s Office spoke briefly to the assembled club members and expressed their sincere appreciation of the gift and its importance to the command as well as the community they serve.

After a brief introduction of Blitz and opportunity for the club members to admire the handsome canine and take pictures, Deputy Glines presented a Power Point and DVD program of K-9 Unit activities and demonstrations. During a subsequent question and answer period, it was disclosed that although Blitz and Deputy Glines passed their certification testing on May 18, Blitz had already spent a brief period in the field and had located a significant quantity of marijuana, cash and firearms. Heart of America Kennel Club’s investment was greatly rewarded in a matter of minutes. It can be concluded that Blitz’s career truly is off to a flying and memorable start.

Dick & Janet Rees, May 28, 2009