By Christian Peterson Riverbend News
On Monday, Sept. 13, Mayo Correctional Institution (CI) competed in the 2021 Southeastern States Manhunt Trials. Mayo CI's K9 unit, including Sergeant Matt Thompkins, Officer Andy Lamb, Officer Bill Barger and Officer Chase Day, were all invited to participate in the single leash category.
The competition took place at the Coldwater Recreation area in Backwater River State Forest in Milton, Fla. The competition also required that no electronics, mapping, tracking or GPS be used at all throughout the competition. Radios and flashlights were allowed for night trials only.
Mayo CI seemed to have an uphill battle. With 13 other teams competing, the chances of coming out on top were low. However, Mayo CI's K9 team pulled ahead of the competition and finished in first place, citing their preparedness, skill, passion and responsibility as the contributing factors for their victory.