K9 Spartan’s first month certified; Illegal drugs and guns off the street
Parole Officer Calista Jones, Rosiclare Chief of Police Brian Burton, K9 Spartan, and Hardin County Sheriff’s Deputy Greg Robinson are pictured with the confiscated narcotics, firearms and weapons from one routine parole visit (displayed at the corner of the desk), leading to an arrest.
Rosiclare Chief of Police Brian Burton, K9 Spartan, and Hardin County Deputy Jordan Franks are pictured with narcotics and paraphernalia (on the hood) collected from a recent traffic stop, leading to an arrest.
By Jennifer Lane, Editor
Within his first month as a fully certified police K9, Spartan has already been put to work for the Rosiclare Police Department and its law enforcement partners across Hardin County. Within one week, K9 Spartan had a key role in three drug busts. Rosiclare Police Chief Brian Burton said K9 Spartan has assisted in multiple cases involving suspected narcotics, including two traffic stops where illegal drugs were located and seized after K9 Spartan was deployed.
Burton said K9 Spartan’s presence is intended to do more than help officers locate illegal substances. He hopes it also serves as a deterrent to those who may think about carrying drugs through the area.
“The days where you could haul it around and not be caught are a thing of the past,” Burton said. “Spartan doesn’t tell lies.”
K9 Spartan has also been used to assist probation officer duties. Burton said he recently worked with Probation Officer Calista Jones during a residence check involving a person on probation. Because probation conditions may allow for compliance checks, Burton said K9 Spartan can be used to help officers search for narcotics when requested and when he is available.
During that search, K9 Spartan indicated to the presence of narcotics. Officers also located illegal guns in the residence. Burton said K9 Spartan is trained to detect narcotics, not firearms, but the illegal guns were found during the course of the investigation. Because the case remains open, Burton said details are limited, but the subject was taken into custody.
Burton expects the department to continue using K9 Spartan in similar efforts. He said probation-related checks may be conducted at random, adding that K9 Spartan’s ability to locate hidden narcotics could make people think twice before keeping drugs in a home, vehicle or other location.
As K9 Spartan continues his work, locals have contributed to help support the K9 program. The City of Rosiclare is establishing a K9 Fund for donations, and several early contributions have already helped cover the cost of K9 Spartan’s care.
First Apostolic Pastor Greg Love presents a check to Rosiclare Chief of Police Brian Burton. This donation will be added to K9 Spartan’s fund organized by the Rosiclare City Council.
The First Apostolic Church of Rosiclare, represented by Pastor Greg Love, donated $350 for approximately half a year of dog food. Bernadette Scott donated $100, and Bud and Lisa Blair donated $75. A fish fry fundraiser held by the Rosiclare Fire Department and Rosiclare Police Department raised $273 for the K9 Fund. Together, those contributions totaled $798. These donations were made because people see the impact that K9 Spartan is making.
Burton said a full year of K9 Spartan’s dog food is expected to cost approximately $631, meaning the donations are enough to cover that expense. K9 Spartan is fed a premium food suited for a working dog, Burton said, because his long shifts and ongoing training require proper nutrition and conditioning. Cheap dog food won’t give him the nutrients and protein he requires.
For Burton, each successful deployment reinforces why the K9 program matters. Each donation also reflects the community’s belief in K9 Spartan’s role and the value of the K9 program. K9 Spartan has not missed a shift, and Burton said the partnership has already proven valuable for his department, the Hardin County Sheriff’s Department, and the community.
Published in the July 16, 2026 Hardin County Independent.
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