East and West Elementary Schools treated to K-9 Officer presentation during Red Ribbon Week ...

Allamakee County Sheriff Deputy Ross Kolsrud and K-9 Officer Tyr visited East and West Elementary Schools in Waukon for a presentation featuring Officer Tyr’s training and skills during Red Ribbon Week, which is observed October 23-31 each year in an effort to support families and communities in nurturing the full potential of healthy, drug-free youth. Waukon Police Chief Paul Wagner also visited with students and staff during Red Ribbon Week.

The three individual students pictured above with Deputy Kolsrud and Officer Tyr were selected to have their picture taken with the local law enforcement pair from a group of students who had received Indian Pride tickets for their positivity, respectfulness, involvement, dependability, and/or excellence in recent weeks. Those students included Craeton Leiran and Lily Monroe (standing left to right in back) and Emily Grangaard (kneeling in front). Submitted photos.

Deputy Kolsrud discussed the role he and Tyr serve within the Allamakee County Sheriff Department, how Tyr was trained, and how safety is impacted positively by having a canine on calls. Deputy Kolsrud and Tyr demonstrated the basic commands he responds to and why they are important to his job.

“There were many great lessons embedded throughout the talks at both schools around safety, such as not petting or going up to animals we don’t know without permission,” East and West Elementary Schools Principal Samantha Thornton shared. “Ultimately, Red Ribbon Week is all about drug prevention and healthy habits, and Deputy Kolsrud’s message was a great way to touch on these topics in an age appropriate manner for all of our various ages at the elementary schools.”