Hendry Sheriff's Deputies Bloodhound Henry and Lab Kole Retire

LABELLE, FL. -- Two Hendry County Sheriff K-9s retired and are now living in loving homes. 

Henry is an 8 year old German Bloodhound that was imported to the United States at 10 weeks old. By the age of 1, he had received his certification for tracking. During his career he recovered numerous articles of evidence, guns and missing and/or endangered persons. Henry’s exceptional tracking abilities made him a valuable member of the Sheriff’s Office.

When Henry retired, he could not be adopeted by his previous Handler but instead was adopted by another deputy who was a former K-9 Handler, Hendry County Sergeant Curtis Clay.

Sergeant Clay described Henry’s life now as “fat and happy”. He currently lives in a home with three senior dogs, so Henry isn’t really alone. “He’s 8 years old but still has the energy of a puppy”, said Clay. Clay went on to say, “Because he still has a great deal of energy, we work with him several times a week, running tracks with him. Clay continues these tracking session because as a former handler he just doesn’t think it’s good for the dog to sit at home.


Kole is a beautiful Long Coat Lab from Puerto Rico. Displaced by Hurricane Irma in 2017, Kole was adopted by the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office and shortly became certified as a single purpose narcotic detection dog. He served his time assigned to Country Oaks Elementary School with School Resource Officer, K-9 Handler Ryan Vickery. K-9 Kole was retired early because of environmental Issues as a result of the devastating 2017 Hurricane.



Kole now spends his time at home with SRO D/S Ryan Vickery and the rest of his family, getting to know his new house partner, K-9 Max. Vickery feels that K-9 Max and Kole get along well, and he believes that K-9 Max keeps Kole busy. Kole also keeps other family members company and has gone back to work with Vickery’s wife, who is still working from home, who she lovingly refers to Kole as her “co-worker”.

When a K-9 is retired they are adopted by either the Handler or another law enforcement officer; but that isn’t always the case. When a K-9 is retired and not able to remain in the Handlers home, those who request to adopt are closely vetted for procurement of the dog.