K9S UNITED ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

Officer Matt Herrera and K9 Ghost

Officer Matt Herrera is a Jacksonville native and has been with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office since September of 2006. Matt was selected to the JSO Canine Unit in April of 2017 at which time he became the handler of the late K9 FANG. Matt and FANG were a formidable opponent to the criminal element within Duval County. Aside from capturing many violent offenders in Jacksonville and locating key evidence that led to solving some of Jacksonville’s most violent crime investigations, Matt and FANG also participated in many sporting and other special events by sweeping event venues for explosives. These venues included NFL and NCAA football games, concerts, and political dignitaries. A little known fact is FANG’s named was inspired by Matt’s father who served with the US Air Force for nearly 30 years, with the large portion of his career being spent at the Florida Air National Guard, commonly referred to as “The FANG.” Matt has countless fond memories of visiting his father at work as a kid and thought naming FANG after the memories he shared with his father growing up was a no brainer. As many of you know, FANG was shot and killed by an armed carjacking and armed kidnapping suspect during an attempted apprehension. Due to the untimely death of FANG, Matt was assigned a new K9 partner named “Ghost.” Now Matt and Ghost are back on the streets of Jacksonville protecting the lives of its citizens from the recently emboldened members of the criminal element.