K-9

The Myrtle Beach Police Department created the K-9 Unit in late 2001. Since its inception, our K-9 officers have provided unmatched assistance in suspect tracking, narcotics recovery, explosive & detonation searches, school searches, and numerous specialized rescue and reconnaissance missions.

The K-9 unit allows our department to deter crime by adding the following elements:

Enhanced tracking of individuals sought by police
The search of buildings or areas for suspected criminals
Locating evidence that has been hidden or abandoned
Explosive detection
Narcotics detection
Search and rescue of lost or missing persons
Improved search capabilities

Our program has grown extensively through the years and continues to provide an important service in apprehending criminals through the use of trained canines and their law enforcement handlers. The Department has utilized canines to assist officers with law enforcement and public relations activities. The Department currently has six canine teams for narcotics detection, tracking, and patrol work.

All canine teams go through extensive training before deployment to the field. This training is ongoing as the K-9 Unit gathers weekly to work on skills that will keep the teams proficient. The K-9 Unit also participates in dozens of public demonstrations throughout the community each year. To request a canine demonstration, contact the Myrtle Beach Police Department at (843) 918-1382 and ask to speak to the K-9 Unit Supervisor.

Visit the K9 Unit Facebook page at this link here.

K-9 Team

PFC. Nick Porzio-Heard/ K-9 Casper

PFC Porzio-Heard, a native of Miami, Florida, has been serving with the Myrtle Beach Police Department since 2018. In February 2025, he was selected for assignment to the K-9 Unit and also serves as a member of the department’s SWAT Team.

He is partnered with K-9 Casper, a two-year-old Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd mix. K-9 Casper is certified in apprehension, tracking, and explosive detection. Together, the team supports patrol operations, SWAT deployments, and specialized detection and tracking missions, providing critical resources that help enhance public safety throughout the city.

PFC. Tyler Struckus / K-9 Unkas

PFC Struckus, originally from New Jersey, has served with the Myrtle Beach Police Department since 2016. He has been assigned to the K-9 Unit since 2019 and also serves as a SWAT Team member and Firearms Instructor. Prior to joining the K-9 Unit, he was assigned to Nighttime Waterfront and Powershift, where he gained valuable field experience.

He is currently partnered with K-9 Unkas, a three-year-old Dutch Shepherd certified in narcotics detection, tracking, and apprehension. Before Unkas, PFC Struckus was partnered with K-9 Yep, who retired in 2024. That partnership provided him with extensive experience in K-9 handling and operations, making K-9 Unkas his second K-9 partner.

PFC. Brandon Sonko / K-9 Goose

PFC Sonko, originally from New York, has been serving with the Myrtle Beach Police Department since 2021. Prior to relocating to Myrtle Beach, he worked in corrections. In February 2025, he and his partner completed training and were sworn into the K-9 Unit together.

He is partnered with K-9 Goose, a three-year-old German Shepherd certified in narcotics detection, tracking, and apprehension. Before joining the K-9 Unit, PFC Sonko served on the department’s Community Team, where he focused on community engagement and proactive policing initiatives.

PFC. Mohamed Channani / K-9 Koax

PFC Channani, originally from New Jersey, has been serving with the Myrtle Beach Police Department since 2015. In July 2025, he and his partner were sworn into the K-9 Unit together. He also serves as a member of the department’s SWAT Team and is a certified drone operator.

He is partnered with K-9 Koax, a seven-year-old Belgian Malinois certified in apprehension, narcotics detection, and tracking. Prior to joining the K-9 Unit, PFC Channani served as an ATF Task Force Officer and as a Street Crimes Officer, gaining extensive experience in investigative and tactical operations.

PFC. Michael Carfora / K-9 Rena

PFC Carfora, originally from New York, has a background as a Firefighter and EMT. After relocating to South Carolina in 2020, he was hired by the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office before joining the Myrtle Beach Police Department in 2022. In October 2025, he was selected for assignment to the K-9 Unit and partnered with K-9 Rena, a one-year-old Belgian Malinois, after graduating from Shallow Creek Kennels in Pennsylvania.

K-9 Rena is certified in apprehension, tracking, and narcotics detection. Together, PFC Carfora and K-9 Rena serve as a dedicated K-9 team supporting public safety efforts throughout the city.

CPL Kurt Sculac / K-9 Yogi

Cpl. Kurt Sculac grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and served as a law enforcement officer there before relocating to Myrtle Beach. He has been with the Myrtle Beach Police Department since 2017, serving in a variety of roles including Patrol Officer, Waterfront Officer, Intelligence Detective, and now K-9 Unit Supervisor. After transferring to the K-9 Unit in July 2025, he completed K-9 Handler School at High Drive K9 in Greenville, South Carolina. As the K-9 Unit Supervisor, Cpl. Sculac oversees the development of department K-9 teams and manages the unit’s day-to-day operations.

Throughout his career, Cpl. Sculac has received multiple honors recognizing his investigative skills and professionalism. These include South Carolina Law Enforcement Officer of the Year from CORCA in 2022 and 2025, a Storm Thurmond Excellence in Law Enforcement nomination in 2023, the Gold Shield Award from MBPD in 2021, and a Joe McGarry Police Officer of the Year nomination from the Rotary Club of Myrtle Beach in 2020.