BATH — Cpl. Michelle Small, a police officer with the city for 13 years, and her K9 dog Sampson were named the Maine State Grange Community Service’s outstanding K9 team of the year at a ceremony in Skowhegan Oct. 16.

“I was quite surprised to receive the award,” Small said Oct. 23 in an email. “The other nominees were just as qualified if not more.”

“This is another example of the hard work and dedication that Cpl. Small gives to our department and community each day,” Police Chief Mike Field said last week in a press release. “I feel fortunate to have her part of our team!”

Small underwent an oral board test in front of members of the Grange and public safety officers, who chose the winners through a grading system, according to Field.

Small, who followed in the footsteps of her great-grandfather when going into the law enforcement field, became the Police Department’s first woman supervisor last year when she was promoted to the rank of corporal.

She was certified as a K9 officer in 2003. Sampson, who recently replaced retired  K9 dog Keylo at Small’s side, has been certified in obedience, agility, tracking, building searches, criminal apprehension, evidence recovery, and officer protection, according to Small.

“Sampson has done well since his inception at the police department,” Small wrote. “He had some big paws to fill after Keylo retired but is doing a great job living up to that.”

Alex Lear can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 113 or alear@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @learics.

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Bath Police Cpl. Michelle Small and her K9, Sampson, were named outstanding K9 team of the year Oct. 16 by the Maine State Grange Community Service.