The Echols County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Units where established by Sheriff Randy Courson as a response to the request of Echols County citizens to aid in his ongoing war on drugs.

The K-9 Unit’s goal is to provide the Sheriff with trained and experienced drug interdiction personal and K-9’s. The Unit has one Belgian Malinois "Spike" and German Sheppard "Pako". The K-9 Units are on call 24/7 and the handlers are responsible for maintaining the training and welfare of the dogs. Both K-9's are certified throught North American Police Work Dog Association. 

The first K-9 Spike who is six-years-old was trained in Germany. He started his career in South Carolina where he was purchased by the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office. He was then purchased by the Echols County Sheriff's Office. He's Currently utilized for Drug Interdiction and is an aggressive drug alerter who bites and tears at the odor of narcotics. He is also trained in officer safety, suspect tracking, area item and suspect searches. He is not aggressive but will attack on command or if he senses him or his handler is in danger.

 The second K-9 is Pako who is six-years-old. Pako originally served as a Military Working Dog (MWD) for the U.S. Air Force, after his discharge from the military he was purchased by the Georgia Department of Corrections. Recently Pako was donated to the Sheriff’s Office due to recent staff cuts in the state. Pako is a highly trained narcotics detection K-9. Pako is a passive drug alerter; he sits at the odor of a narcotic and is nonaggressive toward people. Pako came highly recommended by the former handler with the state. Pako obeys all commands given by his handler and is still continuing his training with his handler!