"It's a dream come true to work with my best friend every day," says School Resource Officer (SRO) Dusty Burton and a K-9 Handler for Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, explaining that he always admired K-9 handlers and their dogs.
Burton began his journey 16 years ago, first as a corrections officer, transitioning to law enforcement in 2013, now working with Blaze, his highly trained 4-year-old partner, a German Shorthaired Pointer. Trained by Global K9 in Kinetic detection with enhanced firearm detection capabilities, Blaze plays a vital role in school safety across seven special school districts, including Lebanon.
"Each day, we start by greeting students as they arrive, choosing a different school to start at each morning then moving through all LSSD 5-7 schools per day," Burton explains, "Blaze’s ability to detect firearms helps ensure a safe learning environment."
Burton explained that once the students have gone to class they walk the building and then go to the next one where they will do the same.
"I don’t prioritize any school over another unless I know there is an event with outside guests attending," he says, "Also if a Wilson County School has a situation occur that his abilities can resolve, we will go."
Beyond the tactical skills, Burton highlights Blaze's impact on student morale and behavior.
"He's a celebrity to the kids," Burton laughs, "Their excitement when they see Blaze helps build positive relationships."
At home, Blaze switches from work mode to pet mode seamlessly. "Once the harness comes off, he's just a dog," Burton says. Regular training sessions and play keep Blaze sharp and ready for duty.
"His reward for a job well done is his ball," Burton adds, "Blaze is a dedicated partner, always ready to go," he smiles.
As for the future, Burton remains committed to their mission: protecting schools and fostering a safe community with Blaze by his side for several years to come.
The way Blaze can de-escalate a student who is having an episode is impressive.