Sheriff Jim Tadman and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office would like to introduce the newest team member. It is a new K9 Jax.
Jax is a 15-month-old German Shepherd. Jax and Deputy Jarrin Gunderson spent 13 weeks bonding and training at McDonough K9 in Anoka, Minnesota. The duo was exposed to numerous challenges, scenarios, and apprehension exercises during their training. Jax is dual-purpose trained. This means he is ready for both narcotics scent detection and apprehension. They are also prepared to help with missing persons as well.
K9 Jax traveled nearly 5,000 miles to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. “He came from the Czech Republic-born and raised,” said Gunderson. “He was flown from the Czech Republic in March. Jax then flew into Chicago. My instructor picked him up there, where he ultimately was brought to Anoka, where I picked him up.” Gunderson then took Jax home for the weekend before being back in Anoka for training.
The Polk County Sherriff’s Office currently has one more K9 on staff, which is K9 Rex. With Buffey recently medically retiring, Polk County saw room for one more K9 to add to the team. “This is a huge asset to have; that’s why we started the K9 program back up a few years ago,” said Gunderson. “For us starting with safety, we can put these dogs in other situations that otherwise compromise our safety. And they’re a huge asset with the drug epidemic.” With the youth of Jax and Officer Jarrin Gunderson, the Polk County Sherriff’s Office is hoping they can be a dynamic duo for years to come. “When Jax is not on duty, he likes to hang out with me and more so my fiance, he likes to play with his kongs and toys, but even when we’re off duty, he loves training,” added Gunderson.
Jax’s favorite activity is his training. With objectives and incentives always on the table, Jax feels like he’s playing one big game. “Dogs don’t view training as working like you and me. For them, it’s all fun, it’s always a game, and there is a reward to whatever we do,” said Gunderson. “When we train in apprehension, and they get that bite or toy, that’s their fun, that’s their reward.”
Jax has a big personality. “His nickname is Chaos. That’s what my fiance and I call him because every time you let him run around, he wags his tail and knocks everything over. But he likes to have fun with everything he does,” said Gunderson. When it’s time to work, Jax takes his duty very seriously. The staff describes his eyes as “wolf-like” when it’s time to go to work. He will not be denied the task at hand.
