LEONARDTOWN, MD — The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office has deployed Deputy Jordan Wagner and his K-9 partner Groot to active patrol duties following their successful completion of a rigorous six-week handler training program. The announcement, released March 3, 2026, marks a key step in bolstering the agency’s specialized canine unit amid efforts to combat narcotics and enhance public safety across Southern Maryland communities.
Deputy Wagner and Groot, a two-year-old Czech Shepherd, underwent intensive training that combined classroom instruction with practical field exercises. The program focused on forging a strong handler-dog partnership essential for effective operations. Groot specializes in narcotics detection, tracking suspects, and searching for evidence or articles. Czech Shepherds, valued in law enforcement for their sharp intelligence, loyalty, and protective instincts, bring strong capabilities to these demanding roles.
Sheriff Steve Hall highlighted the team’s importance in a prepared statement: “Deputy Wagner and Groot represent a significant addition, and the first of planned expansions, to our K-9 program. Their training and professionalism strengthen our capabilities and enhance our ability to proactively combat crime, remove dangerous drugs from our streets, and support public safety.”
The new duo joins other specialized service dogs within the Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit. These canines play critical roles in criminal investigations, assisting deputies by locating hidden suspects, recovering evidence, detecting illegal substances, and tracking individuals during searches. Their deployment adds another layer of support for patrol operations, traffic stops, and targeted drug enforcement in St. Mary’s County, where opioid and other narcotics issues remain a regional concern.
Prior to full certification and patrol readiness, Groot participated in narcotics-specific training earlier in 2026. Reports from February 2026 indicate that Deputy Wagner and Groot completed a 10-week narcotics training school, alongside parallel efforts with neighboring agencies such as Calvert County’s K-9 program. This cross-jurisdictional collaboration underscores regional commitments to advancing K-9 capabilities in Southern Maryland.
The Sheriff’s Office views the addition as part of broader strategic growth for the K-9 program. No specific timeline was provided for additional teams, but the emphasis on “planned expansions” signals ongoing investment in canine resources to address evolving enforcement needs. Deputy Wagner and Groot now patrol streets in Leonardtown, Lexington Park, and surrounding areas, ready to respond to calls requiring specialized detection or tracking skills.
This development arrives as local law enforcement agencies continue prioritizing tools to interrupt drug trafficking and support community safety. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office maintains an active K-9 presence, with teams contributing to arrests, evidence recovery, and preventive measures throughout the county.
