K-9 officer sniffs out danger at local school

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A local school system says a dog named Jax is making a big difference.  Only 24-hour News 8's cameras were there for the story and legacy of one IMPD officer.

MEET JAX

Jax, an 18-month-old German Shepherd, has been training for months.  Looking for narcotics, he hit every time. Franklin Township Community Schools is one of only five area schools to have their own certified police force. Jax is the third K-9.

Tony Rizzi with the Franklin Police Department is his handler.

Rizzi says, "Some of these kids have seen the dog since first grade or kindergarten and we can't gauge how much of a deterrent and how much he keeps out just by being in the building."

Officer Rizzi says the kids have grown up with dogs in the schools, so they know when he is working sniffing lockers or cars that he is off limits. At the same time, Rizzi says they've seen a big drop in drugs because the kids know Jax is their on property everyday.

DAVID S. MOORE LEGACY

Jax is a gift in part from the David S. Moore Foundation. 

FOUNDATION DONATES DOG IN HONOR OF OFFICER

The IMPD officer killed in the line of duty once walked the same school halls, attending Franklin Township schools in elementary and junior high. 

His father, Spencer Moore explains, "Franklin Township has always been close to our heart. This is where we lived. This is where David grew up."

UNIQUE TRAINING FOR JAX

Jax is unique because he is trained not only in narcotics, but will complete firearms training in April.  It's a safety net in the wake of the Sandy Hook school shooting. 

School Superintendent Dr. Flora Reichandadter says, "It is an important part of our safety plan we continuously go over and part of that is to be able to have the tools.  If we were to have a bomb threat or any other type of a threat we could use a dog like Jax. " 

Jax was awarded a modified Franklin Central High School diploma and welcomed at the Monday school board meeting with a pig ear for graduation.  It is the beginning to what the Moores hope is a long relationship in a place they once called home. 

Looking at the dog, Spencer described his as "a beautiful animal. Absolutely gorgeous. We're excited about it."

The family of David Moore will be close to Jax.  His sister Carol teaches at Kitley Elementary, one of the schools he will visit everyday. She helped get the dog through the foundation when the previous dog died and the school system needed help. 

The dog has special meaning because Officer David Moore also had a German shepherd named Charlie.  His parents now care for her.