The Oconee County Sheriff’s Department and its K-9 unit have received a national recognition. Members of the sheriff’s Office Pro Active Criminal Enforcement Team were recognized late last month by the American Police Canine Association in Vincennes, Indiana. The association president, Michael Johnson, presented the award during a banquet that followed a weeklong k9 training session. The award represents an accumulation of drug cases, money seizures, traffic offenses, recovered stolen items, arrest, and gun charges that were made by the Oconee team, led by Lt. Thomas Crompton, Cpl. Mitch Craig, Senior Deputy John Williams, Senior Deputy Jason Dickson and their k9s. An award for Level Three certification went to Cpl. Derek Pace and k9 Grit. Pace and Grit became the first tracking team from South Carolina and the 14th in the country to gain the award.
