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Sellersburg---Yesterday, the Indiana State Police held a graduation ceremony for the 2015 Indiana State Police K-9 Class at the Indiana State Police Museum in Indianapolis. The ceremony graduated nine troopers from around the state and their new K-9 partners along with one Putnam County Sheriff’s Deputy and his new K-9 partner.

Trooper Nathan Abbott and his new K-9 “Teague” along with trooper Zachary Smith and his new K-9 “Riggs”, both from the Indiana State Police Post at Sellersburg, were among those graduating.

Trooper Nathan Abbott received his new K-9 “Teague” after his past K-9 “Kilo”, was killed in the line of duty searching a home in Sellersburg. He and his new K-9 “Teague” finished an abbreviated academy due to Trooper Abbott and “K-9” Teague both being trained prior to this academy. K-9 “Teague” is a four year old German Shepherd imported from Europe.

Trooper Zachary Smith and his new K-9 “Riggs” graduated after a 14 week K-9 academy and 500 hours of K-9 training. “Riggs” is an 18-month old Belgian Malinois imported from Europe.

The primary initiative of the Indiana State Police K-9 team is to search for and locate suspect(s) or evidence that can be linked to a specific crime.

Both troopers will be patrolling the Sellersburg District and will be available for assistance to all local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

The Sellersburg District is comprised of Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Scott and Washington counties.

Media Note-A photo of each dog is attached. “Teague” is the black colored dog with the ballistic vest and “Riggs” is the brown colored dog lying down. -30-

Sgt. Jerry D. Goodin