Local K9 Units Team Up for Vohne Liche Kennels’ Olympics

Posted on August 21, 2019
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

Three K9 Units from Starke County have teamed up to take on the “Olympics” at Vohne Liche Kennels.

The local team consists of North Judson Police Officer Rico Simpson and his K9 partner Jimy, Knox City Police Officer Chad Dulin and his K9 O’Neill, and Starke County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Brack Rowe and his K9 Zardoz.

Photo Source: Vohne Liche Kennels

North Judson Town Marshal Kelly Fisher touched on the collaborative effort during her report at Monday night’s council meeting, noting that it serves as a good training opportunity.

She explained, “Vohne Liche Kennels puts on a week-long Olympics and they go down and it’s technically the “Olympics” but they learn a lot from it; there’s different obstacles, different strategies, different techniques and so forth.”

Fisher added that law enforcement agencies from all over the country and around the world attend this annual event and she’s glad that Officer Simpson and his K9 partner are able to participate alongside other local officers.

On social media, North Judson PD officials also shared that Jimy is sporting his harness that was donated by the NJ-SP Liberty Elementary School.

Photo Source: NJ-PD FB Page

North Judson Police Department Welcomes K9 Jimy to the Force

Posted on February 21, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

The highly anticipated addition to the North Judson Police Department is finally here.

Yesterday, Officer Rico Simpson picked his K9 partner out of more than 300 dogs at Vohne Liche Kennels. The dual-purpose K9 that he chose is named Jimy.

As a dual-purpose dog, Jimy will be able to assist with patrol work such as narcotics detection and apprehension, as well as tracking. Town Marshall Kelly Fisher previously reported that the tracking capabilities could not only help with finding criminals, but they could also come in handy for missing persons cases.

The purchase of this police dog was made possible through the gracious donations of many community members and business owners.

Aside from countless monetary donations, some services have been offered along the way. Various local businesses have assisted with outdoor kennel construction and required vehicle attachments for the K9 SUV, while others have volunteered to help with things such as food, grooming and veterinary visits at no cost to the department.

Officer Simpson will spend about a week with his new K9 partner before they head off to training on Monday. Simpson will be making the commute to the Vohne Liche Kennels facility for 6 weeks in order to complete necessary training.

NJPD K9 Jimy

Officer Rico Simpson, K9 Jimy & 

Town Council President Wendy Hoppe.

Officer Simpson & K9 Jimy at

Vohne Liche Kennels. 

NJ Town Council Members Invited to Attend K9 Pick-Up at Vohne Liche Kennels

Posted on February 1, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

On Monday night, North Judson Town Marshal Kelly Fisher invited council members to tag along with NPJD as they venture to Vohne Liche Kennels in Denver, Indiana on Tuesday, February 20th.

Marshal Fisher mentioned that Officer Rico Simpson will have over 300 dogs to choose from. The chosen animal will then go home with Officer Simpson for a week in order for them to bond and get familiarized.

After the week is complete, Simpson will attend six weeks worth of training, five days a week at the Vohne Liche facility. Fisher said the officer will be commuting back and forth rather than staying down in the area for the full six weeks.

The K9 vehicle was picked up yesterday and Fisher said it will be equipped and operable in time for the dog’s arrival.