K-9 Tanner

On September 14, 2007, Felony Officer Bobby Duncan, K-9 Officer Keith Slanker, and Sergeant John Gourley responded to a local convenience store at US 441 and Interstate 10 to assist the Columbia County Sheriff's Department with an armed and dangerous suspect who was fleeing on foot. The wanted felon was wanted for Attempted 1st Degree Murder by the High Point North Carolina Police Department, and had committed an armed robbery in Jefferson County, Florida, an hour earlier. After the suspect’s vehicle was spotted at the store, he pulled a gun on a Columbia County Sheriff's Deputy and fled the scene on foot.

Trooper Slanker with his partner K-9 Tanner, along with Trooper Duncan and Sergeant Gourley tracked the suspect through a wooded area east of the store. K-9 Tanner led officers on a two mile track through the woods and swamp. The team finally located the suspect as he moved through the swamp in chest deep water. The suspect, who has an extensive violent criminal history dating back to 1992, which includes Murder, Accessory After the Fact to Murder, Possession of Cocaine, and Carrying a Concealed Firearm, was out on parole from North Carolina. The suspect was taken to the Columbia County Jail and charged with Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer with a Firearm and Robbery with a Firearm

This makes the second arrest this year for the Felony Team of Sgt. Gourley, Troopers Duncan and Slanker, and K-9 Tanner. Kudos to the Troop B Felony Team for successfully tracking, capturing, and arresting a wanted Felon and for going above and beyond the regular call of duty!