A new K9 officer with Georgia Southern University brings something to the table that has been missing; explosives detection.

Statesboro Police K9 Rio detects drugs. Bulloch County Sheriff’s K9 Gismo does that, and also works by tracking and catching suspects. Now, Deimos, a three-year-old Dutch shepherd, is on board to sniff out bombs.

“He is similar to the Malinois,” a breed often used for police dogs, said handler Erk McCurdy, a GSU police officer. “He is 81 pounds, black and brindle, and has golden eyes.”

His love for dogs is evident in McCurdy’s voice as he speaks of his new partner. Deimos, bred in a Tampa, Florida kennel, was trained in Florida and Tennessee to detect explosive materials, a knack that could prove very useful in today’s environment, he said.

Deimos was donated to GSU by a Florida deputy.

“With all the problems we have had (worldwide terrorist attacks) in public places, sporting events and such in the past,” Deimos will be a useful safety tool in making sure university venues are safe, he said. “In the past, we have had assistance from Chatham County police, but this will allow the university to handle (such tasks) themselves.”

Chatham County will still help with safety checks of Paulson Stadium, but as for Hanner Fieldhouse and other areas, Deimos will do the job alone, he said.

He and Deimos were certified through the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, and are part of its K9 Rescue team, McCurdy said.

He and Deimos will not only serve the university, but will be able to assist other agencies when needed. Recently, the pair helped out with a safety check at East Georgia College in Swainsboro.

While none have been reported recently, Georgia Southern University has had bomb scares in the past.

In 1999, five people were arrested after they tried to set off a decoy bomb near the Recreation Activity Center in order to distract police so they could burglarize the business office.

McCurdy could not recall specifics of any other times a bomb detection dog may have been useful, but considering the increasing number of terrorist and other attacks on university campuses across the nation as well as in other public places worldwide, Deimos is an asset, he said.

And, Deimos filled an unmet need in the county. Since GSU police, Statesboro police and the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office often work together, the trio of K9 officers make a great team, he said.

McCurdy is attached to the Statesboro-Bulloch County Crime Suppression Team, and is the GSU police department’s K9 handler. He worked previously for the Statesboro Police Department from 1991 to 2010.

He enjoys caring for Deimos and his family’s personal dog, Enyo, a Belgian Malinois. He said Deimos is energetic, “loves to do his job, and works off the prey drive” meaning he loves fetching his toy bone. “He really wants to find things,” he said. “He is on top of it, ready to go.”

Deimos lives with McCurdy and his expenses, such as food and veterinary costs, are paid by GSU, he said.

Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (9120 489-9414