For the City Times

WOOD COUNTY – On Jan. 14, Wood County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Handler Brandon Christianson and his partner, Ace, were presented with “Handler of the Year” and “Meritorious Track with Apprehension” awards from the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Canine Handler Association.

Deputy Brandon Christianson, at left, is pictured with K-9, Ace; Lieutenant Eric Marten, and Dan Wachowiak, a Portage County Sherifrs Department K-9 handler representing the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Canine Handlers Association. Submitted photo

“The Handler of the Year award was the culmination of a year of dedicated service and hard work from Deputy Christianson and Ace. They deployed approximately 125 times resulting in 121 total arrests consisting of 68 felony arrests and 58 misdemeanor arrests. The majority of these deployments were narcotics searches but also included building searches, tracking, and apprehensions.

“Deputy Christianson and K9 Ace conducted six tracks over the year, five for fleeing suspects and one for a missing person. Five of the six tracks resulted in the person being located or being taken into custody. The narcotics related searches lead to seizures of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, LSD, marijuana, mushrooms, and various pills,” a Wood County Sheriffs release stated.

“During the month of May alone, Deputy Christianson and K-9 Ace had a total of 35 felony arrests, including three illegal weapons charges. The team located 76.37 grams of methamphetamine, 349.7 grains of marijuana, 6.8 grams of heroin, .4 grams of LSD, .7 grams of fentanyl, and 8.6 grams of mushrooms.

Deputy Christianson and K9 Ace were awarded the Meritorious Track with Apprehension Award for their efforts on Jan. 7, when the team assisted in located a 72-year-old missing woman with dementia.

“The track began around 3 a.m. in 21 degree weather over grounds covered with hard packed snow. Deputy Christianson and K-9 Ace conducted two tracks in these conditions and were able to locate the female and get her medical attention. The female was unable to speak and had sustained injuries from the cold weather exposure. It is highly likely that Deputy Christianson and K-9 Ace saved this woman’s life,” the release added.