NCPL Task Force

K-9s

Winny (left) and Demy(right)

Diesel

Cali

Phoenix

Tank

K-9 Demy (right)

Breed:  Belgian Malinois

DOB: April 1997                Weight: 58lbs                    Sex: Female

Owner/Handler: Chief Greg Pratt

Demy is certified in explosive detection specializing in locating explosive devices, weapons and ammunition.  She is also certified in scent specific trailing, article/evidence search, human remains detection and collapsed building searches.  Demy received a commendation award from the Denton Police Department for locating a subject who shot police officers.  Demy also received a commendation from Holland for the most finds in a twelve month period.  She has recorded over 7,500 finds through 2001.  Among her most notable cases, Demy assisted the FBI by locating $160,000 underground in a bank larceny case.  She also located a drowning victim in over 110 feet of water and located evidence crucial to convicting a murder in conjunction with the Sparta Police Department.  Demy assisted the SBI and Surry County Sheriff’s Office in capturing two of the Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitives.

K-9 Winny (left)

Breed: Belgian Malinois

DOB: June 2000                Weight: 67lbs.                   Sex: Female

Owner/Handler: Chief Greg Pratt

Winny is certified in narcotics detection.  She specializes in locating meth, cocaine, marijuana, LSD and heroin.  She is also trained in scent specific trailing, article/evidence search and human remains detection (land and water).  Born and raised in Holland, Winny only knows to communicate in Dutch.  Winny is a member of the family and loves children.  Winny says “You may be able to fool some people but you can’t fool me, say no to drugs.” We support the DARE program.

K-9 Diesel

Breed:  Doberman Pincher                                Weight: 85lbs                              Sex: Male

Owner/Handler:  Assistant Chief Mike Rook

K-9 Cali

Breed:  Belgian Malinois

DOB: 2007                                   Weight: 65lbs                              Sex: Female

Handler: Lt. Mike Cartner

Cali is currently in training for scent specific trailing, article/evidence search and human remains detection.  She likes running, jumping and playing fetch. She is quickly becoming a huge asset to the team.

K-9 Phoenix

Breed:  Belgain Malinois

DOB:  2006                                  Weight: 65lbs                              Sex: Female

Owner/Handler:  Assistant Chief Mike Rook

Phoenix is currently in training for scent specific trailing, article/evidence search and human remains detection.  She likes running, jumping and playing fetch. She is quickly becoming a huge asset to the team. 

K-9 Tank

Breed:  Lab                         Weight:  60lbs                              Sex: Male

Owner/Handler: Sgt. Sherri Armbrister

Tank is  trained for scent specific trailing, article/evidence search and human remains detection.     

Assistant Chief Mike Rook               Lt. Mike Cartner                                                          Sgt. Sherri Armbrister                      Shannon Shelton                                            Teri Zimmer

Team Member's Bio Information

Chief Greg Pratt

Assistant Chief Mike Rook

 Assistant Chief Rook started with North Carolina Project Lifesaver in 2003.  Currently working for the North Carolina Department of Transportation as the Vehicle Equipment Technican Supervisor.  Where his daily duties include organizing the maintenance of 200 pieces of equipment, handling inventory and scheduling daily shop operations.  He has also completed several state courses including: defensive driving, HAZMAT transport driving, ADA blood borne pathogens and additional classes. Other carrer positions include Ciener/Woods Ford (Held Master Technician Tenure), Regal Ford (Received Master Technician Tenure) and Johnson Family Ford (Mechanic).  Assistant Chief Rook has completed the North Carolina High Angle School; Level I 3/2003, Level II 11/2003, Level III 11/2004 and Level IV 4/2005.  At Surry Community College he has completed Confined Space Rescue 10/2003, Telpher Systems (high lines) 11/2004, ERT Rappelling and Ascending - Fixed Lines 11/2004, ERT Low and High Angle Rescue Level II 11/2003.  At Wilkes Community College he has completed ERT Ropes and Knots 3/2003, RT General Search 3/2006 and RT General Search 4/2005.  Assistant Chief Rook has attended and assited training which included over 300 hours of training, attending/instructing: scent specific trailing, urban trailing, area search, land cadaver, article search, K9 management and crime scene preservation.  He is also certified ASHI instructor and currently holds EMT certification.  Has completed Moto Mark training.  Since joining North Carolina Project Lifesaver Assistant Chief Rook continues to advance in training area including    K-9. 

Lt. Mike Cartner

Lt Cartner started with North Carolina Project Lifesaver in October of 2009. He recently moved back to North Carolina after spending the last 22 years in California, Alaska, Nebraska and most recently Montana. Lt Cartner graduated from Davie County High School and went on to play football for Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, NC.

He is a U.S. Army veteran (Gulf War) and acquired the skills as a 13F, Forward Observer (including how to read terrain features, maps, land navigation and target location) that enable him to be a valuable asset in search situations. Also, he has experience with high angle operations, including repelling from helicopters, buildings and base repels. He is trained in confined space missions and has been trained for locating people in multiple situations and environments. He has field headquarters experience planning and running a search operation.

Lt Cartner is a graduate of the U.S. Army’s Arctic Lightfighter Academy and achieved certifications in Arctic Survival, Desert Survival, Jungle Survival and the U.S. Army Mountaineering School. Lt Cartner was an Expert Infantry Badge instructor in land navigation for the U.S. Army. While in Fairbanks, Alaska; Lt Cartner participated in several missing person searches including lost hunters, missing hikers, snowbound skiers and stranded snowmobilers, both military personnel and civilian.

Most recently, in Montana, Lt Cartner was a volunteer with the Rocky Mountain Search and Rescue Team in Cut Bank. As a member of RMSART he assisted with multiple searches for missing people. He has been on successful searches for autistic children, elderly Alzheimer’s patients and multiple mountain rescues.  

Since joining North Carolina Project Lifesaver Specialized Team, Inc. Lt Cartner has received his CareTrak Telemetry Search Specialist certification and is currently working on his K-9 search training and certifications.

 Sgt. Sherri Armbrister

Sgt Armbrister started with North Carolina Project Lifesaver in October of 2002.  She is currently a 911 Dispatcher for Stokes County and is enrolled for a dual degree at Forsyth Tech in Associates Degree EMS for Paramedic and Associates Degree in Emergency Preparedness Technology.She is a certified Care Trak instructor for NCPL.  Sgt. Armbrister has completed the North Carolina High Angle School; Level I 3/2003, Level II 11/2003, Level III 11/2004 and Level IV 4/2005.  At Surry Community College she has completed Confined Space Rescue 10/2003, Telpher Systems (high lines) 11/2004, ERT Rappelling and Ascending - Fixed Lines 11/2004, ERT Low and High Angle Rescue Level II 11/2003.  At Wilkes Community College she has completed ERT Ropes and Knots 3/2003, RT General Search 3/2006 and RT General Search 4/2005. Sgt. Armbrister has attended and assited training which included over 300 hours of training, attending/instructing: scent specific trailing, urban trailing, area search, land cadaver, article search, K9 management and crime scene preservation.  She is also currently holds EMT certification. Since joining North Carolina Project Lifesaver Assistant Sgt. Armbrister continues to advance in training area including K-9. 

Shannon Waggy Shelton

Shannon started with North Carolina Project Lifesaver in November of 2009 as the NCPL office manager.  Currently handling day – to – day operations, including scheduling, website building and website support.  She graduated from UNC – Charlotte with two undergraduate degrees in Finance and Industrial Operations Management.  Started her career in Charlotte with GMAC (financial arm to General Motors) where she worked until April of 2008.  With her position as a Commercial Lending Analyst her job duties consisted of:  completion of wholesale audits and on site reviews of high maintenance accounts; including courthouse document investigation and knowledge of federal tax liens, organization of major company sales and leasing classes, completion of annual credit reviews and monthly presentations to branch manager addressing current issues and including future action plans.  From GMAC she relocated to the Winston-Salem area taking a position as a Business Development Representative with Wachovia Dealer Services.  While at this position she was responsible for daily management of 44 retail accounts, responsible for achieving volume and budget goals and was active in the High Point/Thomasville Dealer Association (Treasurer).  Volunteer work included working with Harris County Sheriff's Office (Houston, TX) with the community service division in raising donations for children of crimes in the Teddy Bear Round Up.  A member of the Houston Area Parkinson's Society and raising over $23,000 from 2007 - 2008.  A member of the Southeast Alzheimer's Association (Houston Area) and raising donations through running the Houston Half Marathon.  Since joining North Carolina Project Lifesaver Shannon is working on Care Trak certification and K-9 certification.