I became a Police Officer at Little Rock Police Department in March of 1984 and a K9 Officer in March of 1986, my first partner was a German shepherd named "Shadow" who was trained as a straight patrol dog. Shadow and I were trained at the same time to work as a team. Shadow was donated to the Police Department from a private citizen. I worked with K9 "Shadow" until April of 1991 and he was retired.  Shadow lived to a ripe old age of 16 years after retiring.
  
My next K9 was a German shepherd named "Blitz". I acquired Blitz in 1991 from Lackland, Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Like Shadow,” Blitz” was a faithful partner helping me make numerous arrests and we conducted many public demonstrations. I rode with "Blitz" until 1998 and he was retired. He lived with me during his retirement until his death in 2001.
 
In 1998 we trained a new K9, "Bullet". Bullet was my first dual trained K9. He was trained in patrol and narcotic detection. Bullet was given to me from a friend who had found him half starved wandering in the woods. Bullet became an excellent police dog. I worked with "Bullet" until 2002 when I was promoted to Sergeant, and "Bullet" was retired. Bullet passed away in 2002.

I came back in May of 2003 as the K9 supervisor and with a new partner by the name of "Lando". Lando was purchased from the Faulkner Co. Sheriff's Office fully trained. By that time we only had two K9 teams along with "Lando" and me, at the Little Rock Police Department. “Lando” was retired in July of 2008 and he now resides at my residence. I am now working my fifth K9 since becoming a K9 Officer 23 year ago. My new partner is a German shepherd named “Duke”. He came from Holland and he is trained in criminal apprehension and narcotic detection.

I requested and gained approval to add four new police dogs and handlers in 2004. The Police Department purchased five new police dogs (four new ones and a replacement for Officer Tankersley's K9).
 
We trained all the K9's and handlers in patrol and narcotic detection. We now have two K9 teams assigned to each patrol shift and all of them are dual trained in patrol and narcotic detection. I have 23 years of experience working and training K9's and 25 years in law enforcement.
 
I have been a member of the United Police Canine Association (USPCA), North American Police Work Dog Association (NAPWDA), and the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association (NNDDA). All of which I have attended training seminars over the past 23 years. I am currently a certifying official in patrol and narcotics for the NNDDA. I have certified patrol and narcotic detection teams from across the United States.

I can't think of any job that I could enjoy more than working with the K9 Unit. I have had excellent K9 partners and just like people they have had different personalities but all have given 100%. To a K9 Officer they are more than an animal, they are willing to give all and all they ask in return is praise and love.