AMY SZPARA

PHOTO: SANDOR, a member of St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office’s Canine Division receives a bullet-proof vest donated by Brian’s Towing in LaPlace. (Staff Photo by Amy Szpara) LAPLACE – One St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s deputy will be safer from now on when he goes out on a drug bust or chases a dangerous suspect. After receiving his bullet-proof vest as a donation from a local businessman Friday, the honored officer went back to work secure in the knowledge his life would be protected when in hostile situations. Sandor, a Belgian Malonis who has been a member of the canine division in St. John Parish for over three years, was the first four-legged cop in the parish to get his bullet-proof vest. His $1,019 lifesaver was donated by Brian’s Towing in LaPlace. Brian Chappell of Brian’s Towing donated the bullet- and stab-proof vest to Sandor after the tough canine helped solve some problems at Chappell’s business. According to Chappell, some men robbed his property then fled into the woods, and Sandor was one of the officers that went after the men. “They had a gun, and I thought, What if this guy shoots the dog?'” said Chappell. After he saw Sandor work he decided he would like the animal to have vest protection like the human officers do. Sandor, who is from Holland and follows commands in Dutch, lives and works with Deputy Stephen Hefler. The two ride together in Hefler’s unit, and Hefler said his canine partner is part of his family. He gives Sandor, both a patrol and narcotics officer, his commands. According to Capt. Mike Tregre, the canine division has been a great asset to the department. “They have saved us a lot of time. If a guy goes in the woods the dogs can run in for us,” he said. “They locate weapons, evidence in crimes. They are multi-purpose. Those guys come out of the woods quick when they hear those dogs. They don’t want to tangle with them.” Hefler said the dogs see the hunt as a game. If they find what they are supposed to go after, they are rewarded. St. John Sheriff Wayne L. Jones said it is time for all the canines to get vests. He said when he came into office he wanted to beef up the canine unit. There was only one dog before he became sheriff, and now there are seven dogs working for St. John Parish. “Our goal was to have a canine available around the clock,” said Jones, adding they now have one dog on each shift. Not only do the dogs patrol and do narcotics busts, but they also search schools for drugs and do demonstrations in the community, he said. “We’re looking at a fund-raising effort,” said Jones about getting money for more vests. “We certainly appreciate Brian’s Towing for our first vest. We’re very proud of our canine division. They’ve been in competitions, and they have come out very well regionally.” Of the seven dogs on board, five are working and two guard the perimeter at the Sherman Walker Correctional Center. The canines receive training on a weekly basis, said Hefler, who added the dogs can be petted by the public because they only respond to commands in Dutch given by their handlers. Lt. Chuck Bazile, who also handles the canines, said the donation from Brian’s was the biggest donation the canine division has ever received. “We do have a lot of businesses that let us use their buildings for training to give the canines exposure to new places,” he said but added Chappell is the first to step forward and offer such a life-saving gift. The St. John Sheriff’s Office will soon begin raising money to outfit the other six dogs. The canines, which cost the sheriff’s office around $8,500 a piece to purchase, are vital to St. John, not only because of their extensive training but also because they risk their lives to make the parish a better place. “I just thought it would be a good thing to do,” said Chappell about the donation. Any businesses which would like to donate funds toward additional vests can contact Bazile at the sheriff’s office at 652-9513, ext. 193. The sheriff’s office also appreciates any businesses which allow canine officer training on their property.