K9 Axle is a 3-year-old Rottweiler certified in patrol and narcotics detection. K9 Axle was originally purchased by Sheriff Tim King and later became a member of the department in 2023.
Can you tell us about your current role and how long you have been a handler?
“Well, I’m the Sheriff right now. I got my first dog in 1993.”
What initially inspired you to become a handler?
“I was working at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department in Waurika, Oklahoma, and we had a huge problem with narcotics and theft. I’ve always been one to say, if you get rid of your dope, you kind of clear up a lot of your burglaries and stuff like that. So I started working with dogs.”
Tell us about your partner, K9 Axle. What makes him unique as a partner and as a working dog?
“Well, you don’t see very many Rottweilers anymore. When I got him, he was six weeks old. I started playing with him a little bit, and his ball drive was out of this world. I scented the balls and started playing with him. By the time he was nine months old, he was ready to certify.”
In what situations does Axle need to wear his vest?
“When we are out patrolling, he’s wearing it.”
What kind of specialized training has Axle completed?
He’s gone through narcotics odor detection training for four odors—marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, and heroin.
What are his favorite tasks or activities on and off duty?
“His favorite thing is that he’s never met a stranger. He goes up, loves up, and on everybody, he’s just a big pup more or less. He has his moments, I guess it’s his sixth sense that he’s got. There are some people he won’t get around, and generally, there’s a reason for it. Off duty, he turns into the grandkids’ and my wife’s dog. He runs, jumps, plays with them, swims… whatever they’re doing, he’s doing. When I take the collar off him, he knows he’s at home and can play with the kids and do whatever. Put the collar on him, and he changes. He’s got a switch. It’s down to the collar.”
What does a typical work day look like for you and Axle?
“I’m the Sheriff, so I come to work, do paperwork, square things away, and then we go patrolling in the evening.”
What are the main challenges you and Axle face in the field, and how do you overcome them together?
“Most of all, it is a small county. I’ve got six officers and three dogs. A lot of it is traffic. We’ve got two-lane roads with no shoulders, and that’s generally our main concern; we don’t want anybody getting hit.”
Are there any memorable experiences on the job that stand out as defining moments in your partnership?
“Well, one came around last week (6/7/25). Last Saturday, when we had a Green Sweep, we had a triple kill down here, and we went out on foot with about 10 troopers and 15 to 20 deputies running around. I got amphetamines, marijuana, and fentanyl out of a vehicle. Axle knew it before he got out of the car, because he started growling and snarling, and it was kind of an odd reaction. As soon as I pulled the vehicle up, he went off on it.”
Can you share an inspiring or heartwarming story that shows just how important Axle is not only as a partner but also as part of your life?
“Like I said, he’s a big 115-pound Rottweiler. He alerts like a pointer. He locks up, freezes, doesn’t move, and even lifts his right front paw! It’s kind of odd to see in a big dog like him. Once we get back to the house, he’s just the grandkids’ dog. I’ve got them 18 to 3 years old. It’s kind of odd to see a big dog do something like that. They ride him and play with him, and yeah, it’s amazing.”
What would you say to other handlers or departments considering teaming up with Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.?
“I’d tell them wholeheartedly to get after it. It’s a good organization.”
Why do you think it’s crucial to raise awareness about the need for protective gear for K9 officers?
“There are situations when they need it, people start fighting, shooting, and stabbing. Dogs need protection just like humans do. K9s are officers just like we are.”
How did you first hear about Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., and what motivated you to seek out our support?
I was scanning Facebook one day, and it popped up. We started texting back and forth, and it seemed to be a great organization.
How do you think Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. can make a difference for K9 teams across the country?
“I think y’all made a huge impact. You know the vest and the buddy bags, Narcan kits, and stuff like that, y’all have done an outstanding job.”
What do you love most about working with Axle?
“I have a partner anywhere I go. Every time I step out, he’s there. You know, I say he’s a deterrent. It makes people act right. It’s just like pulling a shotgun out of the car when you get him out, and people come around real quickly and pay attention.”
Is there a particular quirk, habit, or trait of Axle’s that always makes you smile?
“He’s got that Rottie rumble, like we like to call it. If you try to hug him, he’s about two seconds into it, and he starts to rumble. He is free-willed. Now the grandkids can get on him and lie on him and everything else, but he doesn’t like to be restrained. He’s just a hammerhead when it comes to that.”
Finally, if Axle could speak, what do you think he would say about being your partner?
“Probably buy more Kongs. He’s got thirty of them. Every time I take him to the pet store, he wants five more. You can throw fifteen out there, but the initial ball I played with him when he was a pup is his favorite. It’s a small Kong and he nearly swallows it when he plays with it. He really loves it, so that’s the one I carry on duty.”
