Greg Gobble was brought to tears at the Mocksville Town Board meeting last week.

The town had agreed to hire him temporarily to train an officer to work with a dog that Gobble is training.

It will be the Mocksville Police Department’s first canine officer, and “Max” is trained to detect drugs. The training with the Officer Brian Hill should take 8-10 weeks.

“This is going to be nothing but a plus for the town,” said Chief Todd Penley, “a first step in stopping our drug problem.”

Max is a passive canine, and is being trained to sit – not attack – when sniffing for drugs.

“Anything we can do to get rid of any drug problem, we’re for it,” said Mayor Will Marklin.

Gobble said Max is doing well detecting marijuana, cocaine and meth, and is beginning training on detecting opiods.

“He’s doing a good job, and is getting better and better,” Gobble said. “He wants to do a good job.”

Gobble, 53, said he began to train dogs after his mother was afraid to go to WalMart.

“It’s my first rodeo with Todd (Penley) and I want to stay on the ride,” he said. “I hope we can make a difference.”