KEVIN J. WILLIS
Goose Creek,SC
Summary
K9 Handler and trainer-tracking instructor with extensive deployment experience, advanced canine coursework, and a proven record of integrating working dogs into high-risk tactical operations. First handler in Charleston County Sheriff’s Office history to successfully deploy a canine on SWAT with live and non-bite apprehensions. Skilled in patrol, detection, tracking, trailing, and handler development. Sworn expert witness in tracking and trailing. Advancing toward a working-dog trainer role with aspirations to achieve master trainer certification through IPWDA.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
- Sworn expert witness in Tracking and Trailing, recognized through courtroom testimony in State v. Quantas Mortee Green (2025).
K9 Assigned Team
United States Marshals Service (USMS)
09.2024 - Current
- Assigned as the primary K9 team for fugitive apprehension operations.
- Conduct area searches, track violent fugitives, and support high-risk takedowns across multi-agency operations.
- Carolina Regional Fugitive Task Force – Low Country
K9 Handler / Master Deputy
Charleston County Sheriff’s Office
Charleston, SC
01.2017 - Current
- Deploy K9 Rex for trailing, tracking, apprehension, detection, building searches, and area sweeps.
- First handler to integrate a patrol K9 into SWAT missions; multiple safe live and non-bite apprehensions during high-risk entries.
- K9 Field Training Instructor (2022–present); train and evaluate new handlers in deployment tactics, safety, case law, and decision-making.
- Lead scenario-based K9 training focusing on tracking/trailing problems, bite progression, environmental exposure, and tactical integration.
- Maintain detailed deployment logs, training records, readiness standards, and certification documentation.
- Master Deputy since 2021
Education
B.S. - Economics
SUNY Albany
Albany08-2016
Associate of Arts -
Camden County College
06-2014
Skills
- Patrol & Apprehension Work
- Tracking & Trailing (Urban/Rural)
- Detection Operations
- High-Risk K9 Deployment
- Handler Coaching & Evaluation
- K9 Field Training (FTI)
- Scenario-Based Training
- Tactical K9 Integration (SWAT)
- Canine Behavior & Drives
- Documentation & Operational Reporting
Certification
- K9 Handler (Patrol/Detection)
- K9 Field Training Instructor
- Firearms Instructor
- Tactical Medical Instructor
- Patrol FTI (former)
- DUI/SFST Instructor (former)
- Active Shooter Response | EVOC | CPR/First Aid/Trauma
Timeline
K9 Assigned Team
United States Marshals Service (USMS)
09.2024 - Current
K9 Handler / Master Deputy
Charleston County Sheriff’s Office
01.2017 - Current
B.S. - Economics
SUNY Albany
Associate of Arts -
Camden County College
K9 CLASSES & SPECIALIZED TRAINING
- Kilo-9 Foundation Class — 36 hrs (2021)
- Basic Handler School — 400 hrs (2021), Sgt. Jeff Thom, Charleston PD
- Georgia K9 Tactical Tracking & Trailing — 80 hrs (2023), Jeff Schettler
- SKIDDS/BUDDS SWAT K9 Course — 40 hrs (2023)
- High-Risk Deployment Class — 30 hrs (2023, 2024)
- Train-the-Trainer Course — 160 hrs (2025), K2 K9 Solutions
TACTICAL & INSTRUCTOR BACKGROUND
- SWAT Operator (2019–2023) & Entry Team Leader; integrated K9 into entries, barricades, and high-risk warrants.
- Firearms Instructor (2021–present); developed handler-specific shooting drills and integration tactics.
- Tactical Medical Instructor; created K9-relevant trauma and downed-handler scenarios.
- Specific Skills Instructor (2020–present).
- Field Training Officer (2020–2021).
CAREER GOAL
Advancing toward a working-dog trainer role with aspirations to achieve master trainer certification through IPWDA.