The Firebaugh Police Department just received a vital tool in the never-ending battle against fentanyl and other drugs, and it was all due to the generosity of a well-known Westside farming family.
Last week, Firebaugh police chief Sal Raygosa announced the purchase of the department’s newest member, K-9 officer “Luca.”
The 14-month-old Springer Spaniel comes to Firebaugh from the East Coast and will be solely a drug-detection canine, the chief said.
Luca is now the Firebaugh Police Department’s newest member due to the Stefanopoulos Family. Spero Stefanopoulos, the son of family patriarch Tom, met Luca last week as Chief Raygosa took the canine out to the S&S Produce headquarters located southwest of Firebaugh.
Also present at the meeting were Firebaugh police officer Bernard Ortiz, city council member Fred Valdez, and officer Roldofo Tabares.
“This donation by the Stefanopoulos Family gives us a very useful tool in battling drugs,” Raygosa said. “It will be so beneficial to our community.”
The chief added that the Stefanopoulos Family was also instrumental in the purchase of a state-of-the-art drone that has already proved invaluable.
“We have had requests from the Sheriff’s office and also Dos Palos to use our drone so this is something that has been beneficial to not only our city but the whole Westside,” Raygosa explained.
Luca is a typical young Springer Spaniel, rambunctious and very friendly, and Officer Tabares will be the dog’s handler. A Firebaugh native, he has been a full-time officer since 2019. He has served the department as a municipal code officer, school resource officer, Explorer advisor, range master, drone pilot, and director of the department’s Police Activities League.
Luca is in the midst of training that will continue through most of August, and he will have to pass a state-directed independent test.
“After that, he will hit the streets looking for drugs,” said Raygosa.
The K9 will be trained in detecting cannabis, vape pens, methamphetamine, cocaine and other drugs, plus guns and ammunition.
