When the Woodhaven Police Department got wind that March 13 was National K-9 Veterans Day, officers couldn’t let it go by without saluting their former police dogs that served and protected the city over the years.
First there was Steele, then came Jax, Bruno was next, and the last police dog was Nova.
For the most part, K-9 officers have been in place in Woodhaven since 1997.
Retired Police Chief Vince Price was the handler for K-9 Officer Steele from 1997 to 2005.
Lt. David Toler was the handler for Jax.
Sergeant Dean Vann was the handler for Bruno and Officer Jennifer Ratliff spent two years as Nova’s handler, the shortest amount of time a police dog has served the city.
Lt. Toler said it was the Woodhaven Animal Hospital, which had a good relationship with the dogs, that publicly recognized the day first.
The hospital called the day an, “annual recognition of the incredible contributions of military and law enforcement service dogs who serve and protect us.”
Nova is the only living K-9 officer of the four.
Toler said all of their police dogs have had a significant impact, and not just in Woodhaven, but also in assisting with other local and federal agencies.
The K-9 program shined especially bright in 2018 when Vann and Bruno received national attention as recipients of the National Narcotics Detection Team of the Year Award.
Bruno was certified in obedience, tracking, narcotics detection, evidence recovery, area and building search, and handler protection.
The department has been without a police dog since Nova was retired in 2023.
According to Toler, another police dog is scheduled to be brought on board with the department in April for training.
Two officers were looking to be named as the handler for the incoming K-9 officer.
Toler said Officer Cameron Poslaiko has been selected for the job.
The lieutenant said he had never heard of K-9 Veterans Day before and believes the department didn’t want their police dogs to be ignored.
The K-9 program has always been fully embraced by the community during functions.
Toler said the dogs have played a big role in school demonstrations as well.
“Our K-9s have been an exceptional value and are an important tool for law enforcement to utilize,” Toler said.
