Month: September 2015

EYOTA, Minn. (KTTC) – By Kimberly Davis, Anchor/Reporter

With the help of a K-9 officer, a suspect who fled on foot was captured and arrested early Sunday morning.

Stephen Grogg, 36, of Rochester and Thomas Iverson, 45, of Houston were arrested around 12:30 a.m. Sunday in Eyota at Highway 42 near Interstate-90. Law enforcement said an Olmsted County Deputy conducted a speeding traffic stop, and Iverson got out of the vehicle and took off when the deputy got back into his car.

Grogg was arrested after Iverson took off. Deputies say a K-9 was bought in to apprehend Iverson, who was hiding behind bushes and not cooperating with deputies. The dog latched on to Iverson’s arm and he surrendered. Capt. Scott Behrns of the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office said 17 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia was found inside Grogg’s vehicle.

Iverson apparently had several warrants out for his arrest, including one felony warrant out of Olmsted County. Both are facing a number of charges including 2nd degree possession of meth.

Created: 09/12/2015 11:44 PM KAALtv.com
By: Karsen Forsman

(ABC 6 NEWS) – For law enforcement their mission is to keep a community safe and for some officers they have the privilege to work alongside a furry partner.

On Saturday the Rochester Police Department and Olmsted County Sheriff held a K-9 demonstration at the sixth annual Slobberfest.

“It lets the public know that this is what we are here for. Not only are we just police officers we are also caretakers of animals, we’re just as human as everyone else,” says Officer Brian Roussell.

Eight canines make up the Rochester Police Department. Rochester Police recently acquired two new dogs to specialize in explosives.

“There’s going to be different situations that arise with a city this size. With the new single purpose explosive canines coming on the street there going to be able to provide a service to the Mayo Clinic and other organizations here,” says Officer James Kenison.

Kenison has been with the Rochester Police Department since 2010. He says with the growth of Rochester, adding more dogs to the department are important.

“Training is key for these dogs to keep them at the level we need to help provide that service for the city and the people we protect,” says Kenison.

Officers say the demonstration allowed people of the community to get up close with the dogs and interact. They say it also helped the dogs become more immune to human activity.

“When dignitaries come into town, if the airport requests us to do any sweeps, anyone that thinks there might be a suspicious package our job is to go out there to see if it is one, and if it is to get people out of there and call in the bomb squad,” says Roussell.

By Adam Sallet – KIMT News
Published: September 11, 2015, 1:50 pm | Updated: September 11, 2015, 5:42 pm

ROCHESTER, Minn. – A very lucky group of local elementary school children were able to name one of Rochester’s finest. Don’t worry however, the public will get a chance to do it as well.

Dozens of students packed a classroom at Gage Elementary on Friday morning for a visit from not one, but two brand new bomb sniffing dogs. As you have probably guessed, these new officers will be trying to detect bombs in many areas like airports and hotels. Their handlers, Rochester Police officers, have had each puppy for about two weeks now and these students get to name one of them. Officer Brian Roussell had picked out four different names for the kids to vote on and they came to a decision that Sarge was the best fitting one, which Roussell says holds a special place in his heart. “Sarge was one of my uncle’s horses that we used for mounted posse and unfortunately due to cancer he passed away recently so it was kind of one of those dedication to him because I’m in law enforcement because of him,” he says.

As for the other is still unnamed. However, you can vote online to name the puppy, simply click here to find out more.

KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason City News, Weather and Sports

By Kimberly Davis, Anchor/Reporter: ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC)
The 5th grade class of Gage Elementary School had two special visitors Friday morning, and one K-9 visitor finally got his name. Students were very excited for the two young K-9 officers to make a visit to Gage and the students were anxious to tell the handler his dog’s new name.

Out of the four names, the students chose the name Sarge for officer Brian Roussell’s K-9.

The K-9s will be used as part of the Rochester Police Department’s new bomb program.The K-9’s sole purpose will be to sniff out bombs, and to keep our community safe.

According to the Rochester Police Department, the dogs will be trained in a fun way, so when it comes to actually sniffing for bombs it will be like a game. Officer Roussell chose the names the student’s selected from, and said they picked his No. 1 choice.

“I used to be part of the Morrow posy in Goodhue County, and that was my Uncle’s posy horse. it was kind of the best horse we ever had. And it passed away and my uncle recently passed away and it was kind of for him,” said Roussell.

The other pup came along in support for his pal Sarge, but still does not have a name yet. There’s still some time to vote for his name, just click here to vote. The winning name will be revealed September 18.