For more than twelve years Covington County law enforcement were a shining leader in the fight against illegal drugs. On the 25th of July, on a Tuesday the star, who was known under the name Bella was honored at an event to commemorate her.
Bella K9 unit, died on the 20th of July. She is buried in the home of her last owner, Jonathan Pitts of the Covington County Sheriff’s Office.
The law enforcement officers as well as family members who were acquainted with Bella met to discuss stories about Bella’s K9 that, over the years, was employed in Florala, Opp and most recently, Covington County Sheriff’s Office. Covington County Sheriff’s office.
Bella has been described as a pet that was friendly to the people who sheltered her, but was always eager to get “to do.” Her most recent owner, Joey Pitts, said Bella’s work easily exceeded the $2 million amount of confiscated drugs.
Bella was trained by Sergeant. Ronnie Hurst and her first handler was Paul Adams with the Florala Police Department. She was formally certified as K9 in 2013.
“One one of the most impressive things about Bella was the fact that she was a lover of people and loved people,” said Tammy Adams her mother of the deceased Paul Adams. “As an infant, Warren Russell, Paul’s son, would lie on her and pull her tail. She would raise her eyes and Bella did not hesitate. She was a great companion for children like a pet for the family, and she never left her job. Similar to Paul, Bella never let Paul go of her sight however she never made anyone feel that there was a place we needed to keep out of, and there was never any fear in her like other K9s. Bella could tell the distinction in good from bad without requiring any instructions.”
Following the death of Paul Adams, Bella moved into the Adams family home, but the family soon realized that it was not the right place for a dog who wanted to to work. The Adams family created a plan for Bella to return to the work force as a police dog with her former employer, the Opp Police Department where her work swiftly earned her the name Sgt. Bella.
Opp. Opp, Bella was partnered with handler Mitch Schofield. They were arrested and also seized drugs, which made headline news.
Schofield was later summoned to an active military leader and this brought Bella to her current manager, Jonathan Pitts of the Covington County Sheriff’s Office.
“I immediately recognized that there was something unique in (Bella),” Pitts declared. “She did her best and was able to take hundreds of thousands worth of drug trafficking off the streets. My first case of trafficking with Bella. We stopped a person who was in River Falls for an illegal U-turn. Bella was at work and discovered the methamphetamine equivalent of 60 grams, which was headed towards Ft. Walton Beach. There is no Bella like her. She was the greatest companion and friend one could ever have. I’m honored to have served with her .”
Covington County Sheriff Blake Turman claimed that Bella was a very special K9, but her three handlers through the years had a lot be responsible for her success.
“I believe that Bella became a friend to the handlers as well as their families, but the one thing Bella never stopped doing was working. When she was ready to leave for work, she was at work. It is possible to provide statistics but the most important thing to remember can be that this dog was work dog. One reason is the handlers. They deserve praise in the same way as Bella. The handlers were exceptional in their own ways. They let her be her. Maybe we’ll come across a dog that is right next to her.” Turman said.
Tammy Adams said serving as a K9 appeared to be the ideal job for Bella.
“While numerous have placed an estimate of her worth previously -We were offered $8,000-$10,000, and then $15,000 to $20,000 and even it was the State of Florida asked us to determine our pricethe truth is that Bella was never offered for sale. We knew in our hearts that she was worth it and deserves more — a decent house and a job was all she was looking for. I’m convinced Bella is back with Paul and they’re playing forever games,” Adams said.
Bella has officially — maybe reluctantly — retired around one year ago, and was in Bella and the Pitts family till her passing this week. In the final season, Bella was ready to go to work and was pumped up every time she heard the sirens’ sound in the distant distance.
The article Remembering Bella Family members, law enforcement meet for a farewell to a long-serving K9 appeared in The Andalusia Star-News.
