Prestonsburg PD welcomes new K9 after former handler killed in June tragedy

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WYMT) - After the death of Officer and K-9 handler Jacob Chaffins last summer, a new K9 has completed training to join the Prestonsburg Police Department.

After Officer Chaffins’ death, K9 Nelson retired to live with Chaffins’ family. Soon after, a friend of the department reached out to help.

“Iron Canine, Aric Harris, he wanted to do anything that he possibly could to help out the department,” said Prestonsburg Police Departments Chief Randy Woods. “Knowing the need there is for each and every department in the state to have at least one dog.”

The Iron Canine LLC is a group in Frankfort that trains and donates working dogs. The group donated K9 Secret soon after the tragedy and trained her to be a multi-purpose K9.

“She’s trained in tracking, suspect apprehension, and narcotics. Specifically, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl,” said PPD Officer and K9 handler Jason Arms.

K9 Secret has been working with the department and Officer Arms for one month now, but she has already taken smaller quantities of narcotics off the street on several occasions.

“Getting the drugs off the streets to prevent somebody from maybe overdosing or losing their life,” said Officer Arms. “I mean, that’s what our main objective is, to protect this community.”

Chief Woods added that he is sure that K9 Secret and Officer Arms will continue to do good work just as Officer Chaffins and K9 Nelson had done.

“There was such a great need in our community to have a multipurpose dog,” said Chief Woods. “With Officer Arms and Secret, I’ve got no doubt that they will do honor and justice to the legacy that Jake and Nelson left behind.”

Officer Arms added that he and Secret are still growing their bond, but she is adjusting well and is a great asset to the department and the entire community.

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