The K9 Forensics Recovery Team possesses fifty years of combined experience in all aspects of criminal investigation and thirty years of combined experience in the field of canine handling. Our team is made up of law enforcement professionals, one master canine trainer and one civilian canine team trainer from the Tampa Bay area.

While most large law enforcement agencies have canine teams to locate missing persons, tracking and detaining criminal suspects and detecting illicit drugs, we found that most were not prepared for human remains detection or forensics work.

It is the goal of the K9 Forensics Recovery Team to work hand-in-hand with Law Enforcement officials as an additional investigative tool in the field of canine forensics. All of our canine handler teams are certified and trained exclusively in the field of human remains detection and the recovery of forensic evidence.

Our team currently is a public supported team. We received donations from putting on golf tournaments and soliciting contributions from businesses. The funds received will help us purchase equipment, go to training seminars and pay for travel and lodging for searches. Our work directly reflects the community we live in and surrounding communities within this state or region. We will travel to assist any Law Enforcement agency if requested. We do not charge for our services when called upon.

Carondelet Sophie Alexandra
AKC Labrador Retriever Born 12-02-00
K-9 “Sophie” & Troy Fergueson
Troy Fergueson & Sophie are NNDDA certified in land, rubble and forensics evidence recovery
Email: thesarge011@tampabay.rr.com or
tfergueson@pascosheriff.org

Troy Fergueson began his law enforcement career in October 1993 with the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office as a transportation deputy and also served on the Sheriff’s Operational Response team. In January 1995, he was hired by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department as a patrol officer. While employed at CMPD Troy received extensive training on community oriented policing. Troy was hired by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office in 1999, and was quickly assigned to the community policing unit where he coordinated and managed a pilot project intended to introduce true community policing to the neighborhoods of Pasco County. In 2003, he was appointed as operations administrative Corporal for the PCSO where his responsibilities include homeland security, the sheriff’s office evolution to a “community policing agency” concept and program development, crime prevention through environmental design applications, and maintenance of accreditation standards. In 2006 Troy Fergueson was promoted to the Rank of Sergeant and supervises the Crime Prevention Bureau, Non-Emegency Services, and Volunteers in Policing (VIPS) Program. In November of 2001 Troy became one of the founding members of the K9 Forensics Recovery Team. He along with his K9 partner “Sophie”, has been training in the field of human remains detection. In February of 2003 “Sophie” was certified, and has been involved in several searches for state, local and federal law enforcement agencies.

 

Jake and Abbie’s Lone Lobo
AKC German Shepherd, Born August 1, 2001
K9 “Lobo” & Kenneth N. Petrillo
Kenneth Petriollo & Lobo are NNDDA certified in land, rubble and forensics evidence recovery.
Email: polluxcastor@tampabay.rr.com

• Certified Human Remains Detection Dog
• Basic Obedience
• Advanced Obedience
• CGC Canine Good Citizen
• Current on going training in K-9 Forensics

Ken Petrillo’s Law Enforcement career started with his father, Ken Petrillo Sr. who is a retired NYPD Officer. Upon moving to Florida, Ken enrolled at University of Florida and ultimately graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology in 1995. Ken then enrolled at PHCC Law Enforcement Academy and obtained his Florida State Law Enforcement Certificate. In 1996 he was hired by Pasco County Sheriff’s Office as a Law Enforcement Deputy. During his employment with the Sheriff’s Office, he has been a Field Training Officer, assigned as a Detective in the Juvenile Investigations Unit, a Corporal in the School Resource Unit, a K9 Handler and is currently assigned to the agency’s Street Crimes Unit, a street level narcotics and proactive law enforcement unit. He has been named Deputy of the Quarter on two occasions, received a Life Saving award and Medal of Valor.

“Lobo”
Lobo’s certifications are: C.G.C. (Canine Good Citizen), Basic and advanced Obedience, Certified in Human Remains Detection.

 

 

Brenda J. Petrillo
Grant Coordinator
Email: kpetrillo@tampabay.rr.com

 

Brenda moved to Florida from New York in 1991 with her husband, Ken, and their son Ken, Jr. (a member of the K9 Forensic Recovery Team). During a brief retirement, Brenda volunteered for an Elementary School in Pasco County Fl. In April of 1993, she began a new career in the financial world and is currently working for Morgan Stanley in Port Richey. Brenda’s role as Grant Coordinator is to reach out to community organization to make the public aware of the service the K9 Forensic Recovery Team provides. She has arranged presentation for these organizations consisting of team members along with their K9’s, a PowerPoint slide show and a “live” demonstration showing some of the things the team will do during an actual search. She is very willing to assist in any fund raiser during the year as well as our annual Golf Tournament.