Category Archives: Ceremonies

Ceremonies, Events, New Dogs

It Happens This Sunday! Be There!

Barks and Badges is happening at Rancho San Rafael this Sunday, August 2nd. The excitement starts at 10 am with the helicopter’s arrival about that time, so be there for the big moment!

We are so excited to have our event in this beautiful park. We will have demos, opportunities to meet the dogs and lots of photo moments. All of the Washoe County Sheriff and Reno Police Department dogs will be there – unless an emergency comes up. Don’t forget the horses. Part of the training is for the dogs and horses to work together, so that’s always interesting to watch. There’s also a special surprise, so don’t miss out.

We will have the kids’ area in the playground section, so there’s plenty for kids to do and see. Admission is FREE, although we do ask you to bring a can or bag of dog food to help feed needy animals in the community.

We hope to see you there this Sunday. Please leave your pets at home.

It runs from 10 am to 2 pm. We will be at the Pagoda Pavilion area. Do not enter the parking lot there as the vendors will be set up there. Please use one of the other lots.

We have food trucks and community information booths as well as a few businesses. To see the vendor list, go to Vendors.

Here’s a video of our K9 Partners president, Diana Lee, talking with KOLO about the event:

https://www.kolotv.com/video/2026/07/30/barks-badges/

Ceremonies, Events, Thanks, Uncategorized

K9 Kyago Retires

Photo by Mike Lucido, Eighty8 Studios

01/03/24- Today, K9 Kyago ended his service with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office after almost 8 years as Deputy Dunham’s partner.

We are going to miss you, Kyago! But we are so happy to wish you a very happy retirement. You have earned a promotion to the position of “King of the Couch”! Such a Good Boy!

The following is from the WCSO’s Facebook page:

Today, Sheriff Balaam hosted a ceremony for the retirement of K9 Kyago after seven years of loyal service to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and our community.
In 2016, K9 Kyago was partnered with Deputy Dunham and completed his training at Vohne Liche Kennels in Indiana before joining the WCSO. Kyago served as a dual-purpose K9, trained in narcotics detection, subject apprehension, and tracking.
Kyago had a tremendous career serving in both the patrol division and on the Northern Nevada Interdiction Task Force alongside his partner, Deputy Dunham.
Kyago played a crucial role in removing millions of dollars worth of illicit narcotics from our streets and, with his social disposition, was always a crowd favorite at community events.
“Our K9s not only help to ensure the safety of our community, but they are beloved members of our office who bring our community together,” said Sheriff Balaam. “On behalf of the entire Sheriff’s Office, thank you for your dedicated service, Kyago! Enjoy your well-earned retirement with your family.”

Ceremonies

Retirement for k9 Titus

Sgt. Durham presents a plaque to Sgt. Nemeth in recognition of K9 Titus’s service.

It was a happy/sad day as K9 Titus retired from the Washoe County K9 Unit after over six years. His handler Deputy Nemeth recently promoted to Sergeant. Titus will now enjoy life as a loved pet, but he leaves a big hole in the K9 Team. He has garnered many awards while serving Washoe County, being honored as one of the top dogs in the country. Congratulations to Sgt, Nemeth and happy retirement to Titus. We will miss you.

Ceremonies

Congratulations to Lt. Zirkle

Photo by Gaby Tafolla

Several K9 Partners board members attended the promotion ceremony for Sgt. Zirkle on Monday, Feb. 24, 2021. While we congratulate him on his promotion to Lieutenant, we will miss him as he takes on his new duties. To show our appreciation, we presented Lt. Zirkle with a remembrance item for his assistance and patience with our organization. We wish him all the best in the next chapter of his career.