VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office's latest addition to the team marks a historic first for the department.
The Sheriff's Office announced on Tuesday that 3-year-old Apollo and his handler, Master Deputy Crystal Repass, passed their first narcotic detection certification, making Repass VBSO's first-ever female handler.
“We are thrilled to welcome K9 Apollo and Master Deputy Crystal Repass to our K9 team," said Sheriff Rocky Holcomb. “Apollo’s specialized training and exceptional abilities will undoubtedly assist in our mission to keep drugs out of the jail and off the streets. And they will play a crucial role in our efforts to detect and intercept fentanyl, potentially saving countless lives.”
13News Now got to meet Apollo and Crystal in person on Thursday. Crystal said Apollo might be her biggest, but most inspiring challenge yet.
"He has so much determination and drive, it's actually amazing," said Repass.
This high energy originally led Apollo into some trouble. He was originally adopted to become a house pet for another family but was returned to his breeder after months of high energy.
His breeder and Repass saw Apollo's determination as an opportunity for narcotics training.
"He was phenomenal during training, everything is just a game to him and it directed all of his energy and attention to being productive," said Repass. "He is extremely good at scenting out the odors."
The Belgian Malinois is trained to alert Repass to ecstasy, methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, and cocaine. He can also sniff out fentanyl, however, the Virginia Police Work Dog Association does have a certification process for that.
Repass said she looks forward to working with Apollo for several years to come and hopes her new position will serve as an inspiration to continue to break barriers.
"Girls can do it too, we can keep up with all the guys," said Repass. "We can do it all."
Repass joined VBSO in 2007 and has worked in Correctional Operations, Intake/Release, and Civil Process.
Since launching in 2013, the VBSO K-9 Unit has grown from one canine and one handler to three K-9s and three handlers. The other four-legged team members include K-9 Gaston, a 7-year-old German shepherd certified in explosives detection, and K-9 Pablo, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois certified in drug detection.
VBSO welcomes K9 Apollo
