Sgt. Pat Zeider of the Cass County Sheriff’s Department has spent the last decade fighting crime in the county where he was born and raised.

For most of his career, he has been a K-9 handler putting the keen senses of his four-legged partners to use in finding drugs during traffic stops and tracking down those who have run from authorities.

Zeider works patrol on second shift. He is the sergeant in charge and prefers road duty because of the variety it offers from day to day.

“It’s challenging,” Zeider said.

On his largest drug arrest, Zeider’s K-9 found about $20,000 worth of cocaine in a traffic stop where the driver had failed to dim his lights. Officers had intercepted a delivery from Chicago to Kokomo.

The current K-9 is Rohan, which is Zeider’s second dual purpose narcotics and patrol dog. Rocky, who was retired in 2006, also did officer protection, drug detection and tracking. Both were Belgium malinois, dogs that somewhat resemble German shepherds, and both were trained at Vohne Liche Kennels in Denver.

To establish probable cause, police are allowed to run a drug dog around the exterior of a vehicle. If the dog indicates the presence of narcotics such as marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine or heroin, officers can search the vehicle.

Tracking is difficult but has provided Zeider with some of his most memorable experiences. On his first attempt, the rookie handler followed Rocky more than a mile to a stolen vehicle suspect who had run from police 30 minutes before.

“When someone runs or is hyped up, they give off what’s called fear scent,” Zeider said.

Rohan also latches on to that scent, and Zeider must trust his dog to lead him on the right path. He says they have a high success rate, but cities can be more difficult as vegetation holds scent longer than asphalt and concrete.

Zeider’s most recent successful track involved locating a boy who had run into a cornfield and become lost. Rohan led Zeider right to the boy, who was glad to see the officer.

Zeider’s boss, Cass County Sheriff Gene Isaacs, complimented Zeider on his willingness to take on extra responsibility as K-9 handler for the department. He is on call 24/7, and he is the sole caretaker of Rohan.

Besides overtime, there is no extra pay for the additional work. One benefit is that Zeider always has back-up with him, and Rohan is not afraid to bite.

Zeider says before releasing Rohan to search for a suspect, he gives the person several warnings: “Sheriff’s department. K-9. Come out now, or I’m going to send in the dog!”

If the person fails to come out, Rohan grabs the first body part he can and won’t let go.

“He’ll bite them until I tell him to stop,” Zeider said.

Those powerful jaws and strong teeth provide officers protection from potential injury or even death.

A man recently refused to get out of his vehicle when ordered by police. Officers had information he had a gun, and when the man reached toward the center of the vehicle, Zeider released Rohan, who lept through the window to apprehend the man. Police found a loaded gun between the seat and center console.

Dealing with danger is simply part of the duty of a law enforcement officer.

“I try not to think of it at the time,” Zeider said of the dangerous situations he has encountered.

Officers encounter all kinds of people.

“We see good people, but we also see the worst,” Zeider said. “They have no regard for anything, whether it’s us or the general public.”

Some of the worst are those on meth, who hallucinate and seem to feel no pain.

“I’ve seen them run without shoes on until their feet are blistered,” Zeider said recalling a man who crashed his truck two miles from where police found him in the woods. He ran the entire way with no shoes on.

Zeider leaves the job and its baggage at work. He says it’s easy to forget when he’s with his family. Well, most of it.

Rohan is the K-9 who found the body of Stephanie Wagner, the 16-year-old who had been murdered by Danny Rouse.

“That’s something that will stick in my mind forever,” Zeider said.

Zeider, like many other officers, responded to the bus crash on U.S. 24 that left four children dead.

“Some of the things we see and do, there are a lot sleepless nights for awhile,” Zeider said. “You do your job and everything, but when you go home at night it’s hard not to think about it.”

The nights after the bus crash, Zeider considered his own children. He said most images eventually go away.

As a public service, Zeider brings Rohan to churches and schools for presentations. He tries to make the Cass County community a safer place to live.

Zeider plans on staying in law enforcement.

“It’s hard work, but I enjoy it,” he said. “Even after 10 years, I still like going to work.”

Kevin Lilly can be reached at (574) 732-5117, or via e-mail at kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com