Gemma, a retired Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office narcotics detection dog, was euthanized on Saturday, Dec. 20, at Kachina Animal Hospital due to complications from old age.
The German shepherd served from 2013 to 2019 under handler Deputy Jarrod Winfrey, who selected her for her drive and work ethic. During her career Gemma located 1,177 pounds of marijuana, 80 pounds of cocaine, 61 pounds of methamphetamine, 8.7 pounds of heroin and 79 pounds of hashish. She was trained to detect narcotics and provide handler protection.
Gemma earned national recognition in 2016 when she located 15 pounds of cocaine and heroin during a traffic stop, winning the National Police Canine Association’s Detection Case of the Quarter and later Detection Case of the Year. Her handler received the 2016 K-9 Handler of the Year award from the Arizona Narcotics Officers’ Association.
“The Winfrey family wishes to thank the Sheriff’s Office for the opportunity to allow K-9 Gemma to live out her end of days with her handler’s family and for the chance to enjoy one of the best jobs in law enforcement,” YCSO wrote in a social media post.
Winfrey, who later became K-9 sergeant and transferred to the Partners Against Narcotics Trafficking Task Force as detective sergeant in 2019, retired Gemma due to a knee injury. She spent her retirement with the Winfrey family and his wife and two sons.