Joey Benke and Mesa Make an Amazing Team

by Jeff Olsen

Move over, Rin Tin Tin and McGruff the Crime Dog, and meet Mesa, an amazing pooch with a nose for narcotics but also a preference for dog biscuits and her off-duty hours sleeping on the carpet when she's not chasing the bad guys.

Next, meet Joey Benke, a 2007 Roseau High School graduate, who could throw a fine curveball and had a dandy fastball.

"I mostly played first base and outfield for St. Cloud State University," he said recently, adding that he majored in Criminal Justice and graduated in 2012.

Every new peace officer goes through the equivalent of advanced infantry trainin...