Union County sheriff’s office adds drug-sniffing K-9 River
Deputy Josh Heath and 8-month-old River will patrol Union County as a drug-detection team after September training in South Carolina.
River is joining Union County’s sheriff’s office as a drug-detection K-9, giving Deputy Josh Heath a new partner for work at the Union County Courthouse, on patrol and at community events across the county. The 8-month-old yellow Labrador Retriever will help detect illegal drugs in places where controlled substances are prohibited, and the team is scheduled for specialized training in South Carolina beginning in September.
Heath joined the sheriff’s office in 2024 and became full time earlier this year, putting River in the middle of an existing county K-9 operation rather than a brand-new program. The sheriff’s office canine unit was established in 1998, has run uninterrupted since then and has been funded solely by donations.
The sheriff’s office canines have logged thousands of deployments and have been used for tracking, narcotic detection, explosive detection, inmate transport security and fugitive apprehension. They have also been used in schools, civic clubs, scouting troops, fairs and safety programs.
Susquehanna Trail Animal Hospital and Dr. Tristan Wilhelm provided services to River, and the Bald Eagle Kennel Club donated $7,000 in January 2026 toward a new K-9 vehicle for the department. The sheriff’s office is based at 103 South Second Street in Lewisburg.
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