Pike 43, the Pike County Sheriff’s Department’s new four-legged deputy, is ready to get to work and earn his pay.
Hercules, a golden pit bull terrier mix, is the department’s new K-9.
Universal Canine in San Antonio, Texas, donated Hercules to the department, which paid for training for a deputy and for the new dog. The department sent out donation letters and held a fish fry to raise money for the trip to training in Texas.
In two weeks, Hercules and Deputy Brandi DeMoll were ready to return home and get to work.
“People have a misconception about pit bulls,” DeMoll said. “They think they’re mean dogs, but it’s how they’re trained. He’s a rescue dog. That was one of the criteria. In order for us to get him, he had to be a rescue dog. He’s had to undergo weeks of training for his temperament.”
Hercules is well-behaved and obeys all of DeMoll’s commands. Two weeks into the job, he has already made himself useful, helping locate a missing man on the 4th of July.
DeMoll said deputies were called to a home near McComb-Holmesville Road and Fernwood Road, where an unidentified man with dementia wandered off from his family’s gathering.
DeMoll said when they arrived on the scene, Hercules picked up a scent near the woodline.
“The man ended up being at Fernwood Church. I asked him which way he went, and he said he went through the woodline, and he turned and cut up the road,” she said.
DeMoll said the man returned safely to his home.
Hercules was also called to a traffic stop where drugs were suspected to be in a vehicle.
DeMoll said Nicholas Hodges was charged with possession of marijuana and paraphernalia in the traffic stop, and his passenger Shana Brister was arrested on an outstanding warrant.
“By the time we made it to the scene, they had already found the drugs,” DeMoll said.
DeMoll said she and Hercules have also assisted the McComb Police Department.
Sheriff Kenny Cotton said that Hercules is a great investment for the department, as well as a great P.R. tool, and will be a great asset. Hercules already has an appearance set with the Girl Scouts at the end of the month.
Cotton said Hercules is not just Pike County’s dog, he’s Southwest Mississippi’s dog.
“We will assist anyone who needs us.” he said.
DeMoll said during her training, she learned a lot about her new companion.
“I learned that I didn’t know that much about a dog,” she said. “I learned a lot about his demeanor and about how he acts.”
DeMoll and Hercules were also featured in a shot for “CBS This Morning.”
“It was challenging. I had to keep the dog still, and I was wearing a long-sleeve shirt in the middle of the summer in San Antonio,” she said.
She said it took an hour to two hours to get the perfect shot.
“The planes kept flying over, then Hercules wouldn’t be still.” She said. “Then (U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise) was shot in Virginia, so we had to stop and then start back.”
DeMoll and Hercules were also interviewed by KSAT during their graduation.
Hercules lives with DeMoll, who has two other dogs. “It took some patience, but they took to him. It was, like, ‘Hey, we’re family now.’ ”
Cotton and Chief Deputy Johnny Scott both admit they’re not the biggest fan of large dogs.
“He looked a little scary at first. He looked like he was ready to eat,” Cotton said. “But he’s really a well-disciplined dog. She has him well-trained.”
DeMoll said she and Hercules train for an hour every day while on the road so he can get used to being on the force.
“Lowe’s and J.C. Penney have both allowed us to come in the store to simulate training,” she said, adding that it helps Hercules get used to the noise and people being on a scene.
“We can simulate a home with the paint smell and fixtures at Lowe’s,” she said.
Cotton said the department wouldn’t have been able to do this without the support of the community. “We still need the community’s support. It is expensive, but he’s a great asset.”
Cotton said when budget talks begin, he hopes the Pike County Board of Supervisors will consider adding a line item in the budget for Hercules.
“We thank all the citizens for their continued support. We certainly need it,” Cotton said.
Hercules is the sixth dog the sheriff’s department has obtained, under several administrations.
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To request a visit with Hercules, or if any municipality or county needs K-9 assistance, call the Pike County Sheriff’s Department.
