Live Oak Middle School student Britany Hernandez holds her winning artwork, which was selected as the new logo for the Sutter County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit. Her achievement was celebrated and revealed during the National Night Out event on Aug. 5 hosted by the Sutter County Sheriff's Office in Yuba City.

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - The Sutter County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit revealed its new logo during the county’s National Night Out celebration on Aug. 5, and the design came from the imagination of a local middle schooler.

Britany Hernandez, a seventh grader at Live Oak Middle School, learned about the logo contest at school and completed her entry the very same day. Her winning design features the profile of a German Shepherd blended into the words “K-9 Unit,” framed by a circular border reading “Sutter County Sheriff’s Office” and set against an American flag backdrop.

“I just got so into it and before I knew it I was done,” Hernandez said.

Her sister, Diana Hernandez, was happy to see Britany’s creativity recognized so publicly.

“She’s an extremely creative person, even at home, we’re very proud,” Diana Hernandez said.

Deputy Kristina Hayes shares a moment of rest with K-9 Hitch following his demonstration at Sutter County’s National Night Out on Aug. 5.

The unveiling took place outside the Sutter County Sheriff’s Office in Yuba City as part of National Night Out, an annual community-building event aimed at promoting safety and neighborhood camaraderie. At least a dozen vendors were on hand, offering games, souvenirs, and public safety resources.

“National Night Out is an opportunity for all of us to get together and really celebrate public safety,” said Sheriff Brandon Barnes. “We can’t do what we do without the people in our community—we rely on you to be our eyes and ears, and we’re fortunate to have such tremendous support.”

In honor of National Night Out and the revealing of the unit's new logo, a special K-9 demonstration was held for the crowd. The K-9 Unit, which has served Sutter County since 1969, currently includes three teams — two based at the main office and one in the City of Live Oak. The dogs are trained for patrol, suspect apprehension, tracking, and detecting narcotics, as well as assisting during jail incidents or search operations for other agencies. Beyond law enforcement duties, the unit frequently visits schools, youth groups, and civic organizations to strengthen community trust.

The new Sutter County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit logo, designed by 7th grader Britany Hernandez, features the face of a German Shepherd, an American flag backdrop, and the unit’s name.

The evening’s demonstrations began with Correctional Officer Ethan Brooks and his partner, K-9 Bailey, the first dog ever assigned to the Sutter County Jail. Bailey joined the Sheriff’s Office in April 2023 and was certified just two months later. Together, the pair showed the crowd how Bailey searches vehicles for narcotics and signals when she detects them.

Next, Deputy Kristina Hayes and K-9 Hitch, a four-year-old Belgian Malinois, took the field. Since joining the department in 2023, Hitch has helped seize roughly 56 pounds of narcotics and convinced multiple suspects to surrender. Hitch demonstrated both his search skills and his “bite work,” apprehending a mock suspect—played by Deputy Miguel Rios in a protective suit.

A child tests out a rescue helicopter flight gurney during the Sutter County Sheriff’s Office National Night Out celebration in Yuba City on Aug. 5.

“It doesn’t really hurt; the suit stops the puncture,” Rios explained. “You can still feel the pressure, but it’s not that bad. There’s more padding in the back of the arm, so that’s why I turn — if you get bit on the wrist, you’ll feel it more.”

K-9 handlers typically live with their dogs and care for them around the clock, often adopting them after retirement. “Basically, when you get a dog, you run them for their whole life,” Hayes said. “I’ve enjoyed working with Hitch, and he’s become a central part of my life.”