YCSO K-9 Team

Detention K-9 Officer Robby
Detention Officer Rogelio Felix & K-9 Robby Dates of Service: October 2001–2004 Detention Officer James Rochester & K-9 Robby Dates of Service: 2004–February 17, 2007 Tour of Duty:  5.5 years End of Watch: Saturday, February 17, 2007

Detention Officer Rogelio Felix & K-9 Officer Robby

K-9 Officer Robby, a light brown male Belgian Malinois originally from the Netherlands, was the first K-9 Officer for the Yuma County Detention Center. Robby attended the Basic Service Dog Academy sponsored by Arizona Department Of Corrections (AZDOC) in Tucson, AZ. Robby and his handler, Detention Officer Rogelio Felix, successfully completed the two-hundred and eighty (280) hour course in narcotic detection and handler protection training on November 7, 2001.

K-9 Robby had completed his re-certification trials annually with the National Police Canine Association on narcotics and handler protection. He continued to perform his duties with the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office with diligence. Such duties included narcotic searches of vehicles, buildings, property, and people. K-9 Robby was a duel working dog which meant that he was also trained to perform duties such as cell extractions, riot control, and even protect his handler from harm.

Detention Officer James Rochester & K-9 Officer Robby

In 2004, K-9 Robby was reassigned to handler Detention Officer James Rochester. DO Rochester and K-9 Robby graduated from the Arizona Department Of Corrections Basic Service Dog Academy course in narcotic detection and handler protection training.

K-9 Robby conducted random searches in the Detention Center prisoner housing units, Yuma County Courthouse and perimeter, in-coming property, high risk cell extractions, and over four hundred (400) hours of in-service training since 2001.

On February 17, 2007, K-9 Robby attended his last detail which was the 2007 Hank Days parade. K-9 Robby and Detention Officer Rochester represented the department, as they had in previous years, by participating in the parade procession. At approximately 6:44 PM, K-9 Robby passed away at Detention Officer Rochester’s residence where he was boarded.