Carroll County Sheriff Clint Walker and several Sheriff’s deputies participated in the North Carrollton-Carrollton Library’s summer opening program on June 8.
Sheriff Walker demonstrated how deputies use equipment like ballistic shields and tasers in the line of duty. Bloodhound Nyla was brought for the presentation as well.
“If it wasn’t for dogs like Nyla, we wouldn’t” be able to find missing people, said Sheriff Walker. He explained how once, a young girl got lost in the woods and how it was the help of a search dog that ultimately helped deputies find her.
Sheriff Walker let the kids ask questions about the gear and about his job, and several children were given the opportunity to try on the equipment, like the bulletproof vest and helmet.
Then Deputy Bobby Kellum brought Nyla into the library.
“Do y’all think that Nyla is a police officer?” Deputy Kellum asked.
“Yes,” the children chorused.
“That’s right,” he said. “She takes care of us, and we take care of her. She helps us find people that may be running from us or somebody who gets lost.”
He allowed all of the children to come forward and pet the nervous but sweet Nyla, who did not let out a single bark or show any sign of aggression.
“Nyla has to practice all the time,” Deputy Kellum said. “If she doesn’t, she won’t be as sharp. Joseph, my son, helps me train Nyla.”
He explained they train Nyla by using a piece of Joseph’s clothing, and having Joseph go into the woods for her to find.
Deputies also demonstrated the use of their drone, taking students outside and showing them live drone footage. Shouts of surprise and laughter came from the children as they pointed at the sky and shaded their eyes with their hands looking for the drone.
The children were served water and popsicles from the Sheriff and his deputies after watching the drone land.
The library’s program went on all last week, and this week, they hosted the same program in Vaiden.
