The Umatilla County Sheriff's Office has added Stevie, to the agency's criminal division. Stevie, a 6-year-old female German Shepherd-border collie mix, and her handler, Deputy Lindsey Evans, recently completed drug detection certification.<br><i>Photo contributed by the Umatilla County Sheriff's Office</i>

The Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office has added a drug-finding K9 to its criminal division.

Stevie, a 6-year-old female German Shepherd-border collie mix, and her handler, Deputy Lindsey Evans, have completed the Oregon Police Canine Association’s Narcotics Canine Detection Standards Testing. The OPCA has certified Stevie and Evans for drug searches, Sheriff John Trumbo said in a news release.

The Ontario Police Department donated Stevie after recently dissolving its K9 Unit due to the handler’s promotion. Trumbo said Stevie and Evans will be available to agencies in addition to the sheriff’s office.

Veterinarian James Burgess at Country Animal Hospital in Hermiston will donate all Stevie’s healthcare expenses.

Trumbo credited Evans and Burgess for making the K9 unit possible.

“Without Deputy Evans’ commitment to creating the K9 program, absorbing daily cost associated with Stevie and kind-donation by veterinarian Burgess,” Trumbo said, “This program would not be able to exist.”

The Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office now joins the ranks of other local agencies with drug dogs, including the Pendleton and Hermiston police departments.

Stevie should come as a welcome addition in Umatilla County. In February, the area lost one drug dog when the Umatilla Tribal Police Department’ Devo died.