My name is Kenneth Alberton and I am handler of the Merced County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit. I have worked in law enforcement for over twenty years. I have always had a passion for police K9’s and in my career, I worked and retired three K9 partners.
I started my law enforcement career in 1997 and while with the Hughson Police Department my K9 partner was Jago a male long hair German Shepherd. I came to the Merced County Sheriff’s office in 2002 where I joined the K9 unit and worked Bilma a female German Shepherd. I went to the Chowchilla Police Department in 2006 and worked Warco a male German Shepherd.
During this time in these agencies, I was also a Field Training Officer, Range Master, and School Resource Officer. I enjoyed these assignments. However, my passion was working with K9’s. In my free time, I would help local vendors train K9’s that went on to partner with officers and deputies across California.
In 2017 I returned to my home, the Merced County Sheriff’s Office at which time I was given the opportunity to assist the current K9 unit by decoying, offering advice, and helping other handlers.
In June of 2020, I was partnered with K9 Ranger. Ranger is a seven-year-old Dutch Shepherd. Ranger is a dual purpose K9. Ranger is trained in detecting the odor of narcotics and criminal apprehension. Ranger enjoys spending time with my children and being a dog while he is at home. Ranger is always ready to go when I put on his work collar.