06/02/2026
We understand the attachment is difficult to read so we have updated our post to include the statement in the main body also.
For Release
6/2/26
Over the last week, there has been considerable discussion and emotion surrounding K9 Red. We would have preferred not to go into extensive detail; however, in the interest of transparency, we believe it is important to provide a more complete explanation of how this situation developed.
When Deputy Steve Henriksen made the decision to resign, he submitted his resignation directly to Human Resources and the Swift County Board of Commissioners rather than the Swift County Sheriff’s Office. Because Deputy Henriksen submitted his resignation via the Board of Commissioners, it is a public document and can be reviewed on the Board of Commissioners website, May 19 agenda packet.
In addition to submitting his resignation directly to Human Resources and the Swift County Board of Commissioners rather than the Swift County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Henriksen never discussed a transition plan for K9 Red with the Swift County Sheriff’s Office. Had Deputy Henriksen approached his supervisors after receiving a conditional offer of employment elsewhere, a discussion regarding K9 Red's future could have taken place well in advance of his employment end date with Swift County. Likewise, a transition plan could have been developed and implemented, including a plan that gave Deputy Henriksen the opportunity to discuss keeping K9 Red as his own. Instead, the May 19, 2026 resignation letter sent to Human Resources and the Swift County Board of Commissioners was Deputy Henriksen’s first request to be given the opportunity to keep K9 Red as his own animal. As many are aware, Deputy Henriksen requested that he be allowed to purchase K9 Red and his equipment for $1. In a profession such as law enforcement, particularly when dealing with a specialized asset such as a police canine, adherence to the chain of command is important to ensure proper planning and continuity of operations.
K9 Red is a Swift County asset. A considerable amount of money has been spent on K9 Red, including specialized training and equipment and health care. The Sheriff’s Office has a duty to protect Swift County’s assets. This is why the Sheriff’s Office objected to allowing Deputy Henriksen to purchase K9 Red and his equipment for $1.
During the May 19 Board meeting, it was determined that K9 Red would undergo an evaluation to establish an estimated market value. We understand and appreciate the bond that develops between a handler and a K9 partner. However, K9 Red is a County asset in the same way the cruiser used by Deputy Henriksen and K9 Red during his service is an asset. When an employee accepts the role of K9 handler, they understand that the canine is an asset of the Sheriff's Office and property of Swift County.
Balancing the need to manage County assets and Deputy Henriksen’s bond with K9 Red, the available options included assigning K9 Red to a new handler and continuing the Sheriff's Office K9 program; obtaining an evaluation and allowing another law enforcement agency to purchase and utilize K9 Red; and, allowing Deputy Henriksen to purchase K9 Red at a fair market value. As Sheriff, I have an obligation to both the Sheriff's Office and the taxpayers of Swift County to ensure decisions involving public assets are made responsibly and with careful consideration.
During the May 19, 2026 Board meeting, the decision was made to have K9 Red evaluated to determine his fair value. The evaluator is the trainer that sold K9 Red to Swift County, and is also one of Minnesota's most experienced K9 trainers. Deputy Henriksen was asked during the Board meeting if he would be willing to transport Red for the evaluation. He declined.
Deputy Henriksen also stated at the meeting that his final day of employment with Swift County would be May 28, while the next Board meeting was not scheduled until June 2. Deputy Henriksen was asked whether he would be willing to continue caring for K9 Red during that brief period. He again declined.
Following the Board meeting, Swift County transported K9 Red to Performance Kennels Inc. in Buffalo for evaluation and temporary boarding while being evaluated and a decision was being made. Performance Kennels is the organization that originally trained and sold K9 Red to Swift County.
The evaluation determined that K9 Red's approximate market value was $5,000 if sold to another owner. Following that evaluation, Performance Kennels Inc. offered to purchase K9 Red for $5,000.
Based upon the evaluation and purchase offer, it was determined that Deputy Henriksen would be given the right of first refusal to purchase K9 Red at the appraised value if he chose to do so. If he declined, K9 Red would be sold to Performance Kennels Inc.
This decision was made to ensure that K9 Red's welfare remains protected while also fulfilling our responsibility to safeguard public assets and act in the best interests of Swift County taxpayers.
At the June 2nd board meeting, the Swift County board approved the sale of K9 Red to Deputy Henriksen in a 5-0 vote for $5,000.
Sincerely,
Sheriff John Holtz
