ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) – Tompkins County’s newest four-legged member of law enforcement officially has a name.

The results are in. The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office’s (TCSO) new Drug Detection K-9 will be called Trip, beating out Rogue, Finch, and Myers to earn 40% of the almost 1400 votes cast by the public. The pool of names was chosen to reflect aspects of local history. The name ‘Trip’ comes from Triphammer Road, which refers to a piece of heavy equipment used in manufacturing. A triphammer once sat near Fall Creek and was used to help produce guns at the Ithaca Gun Factory.

K-9 Trip will not be cross-trained in bite or apprehension work and will be a passive detection canine, meaning he will indicate the presence of drugs by sitting in front of the detected location. Trip will not be trained to detect cannabis and will be capable of working around people and children. Trip and his handler, Deputy Sweeney (pictured) will soon begin the certification process. TCSO is hopeful the team will be ready to go in April.

Credit: TCSO