It is sad to announce that "ALEX" passed away in March of this year due to a medical condition. Alex and I were partners since 1995. We were certified as a team by the Virginia State Police. He also held certification's with the Virginia Police Work Dog Association and North American Police Work Dog Association. Until "Alex's" death he had seized over 1 million in illegal narcotics. Alex was a black lab mix, about 8 1/2 years old. He was donated to the Virginia State Police in 1991, where he and his previous handler went through a twelve week training course. K9 "ALEX" will be greatly missed by myself and the Richmond Police Deaprtment. You can still help "ALEX" and the other Narcotic Detector Canines by saying "NO TO DRUGS" and help them"TAKE A BITE OUT OF CRIME".

Officer Harry Pherson & Canine Alex 1998

Richmond Police Department

HISTORY OF THE CANINE UNIT

PERSONAL:

I originally joined the Richmond Police Department in 1970. My career has taken me from the Patrol Division to Vice division for 9 years and now to the k-9 Unit. I am currently a handler as well as trainer with our department. I received my original training with the Virginia State Police. I attended a twelve week trainers course with the guidance of Trooper Rodger Clifton, Trainer with the Virginia State Police and Master trainer with the Virginia Police Work Dog Association. The Virginia State Police Narcotic K-9 Training Program is adopted from the training standards of the United States Customs program. After meeting the requirements of the Virginia Police Work Dog Association, I applied as trainer in Narcotic's and received such status in 1996. I currently oversee the current narcotics program within our own department and assist in certifications with the Virginia State Police.

HOBBIES:

Some of my favorites things to do are obviously working with dogs. I started working with dogs back in the early seventies when I received my first German Shepherd and went to an obedience school. I was hooked from then and have had an ongoing interest in the breed and the training.

My family consists of my self and the daughter I'll never have "Gretchen". She is a female shepherd that I acquired through a breeder from Brockport New York. Gretchen was 8 weeks old when I got her and started training when she was three months old. She and I attended several obedience classes to socialize her and to learn some competition techniques. We entered our first obedience competition in April of 1994 where she and I took 4th place among 38 different other teams. On April 3rd, 1994, we again entered another match and she took 3rd place among 22 other teams. Finally on May 7th of 1995 we entered our third match where we went up against 18 other teams and she took first place. Gretchen currently holds her CD title with the American Kennel Club.

"RAMBELOW'S ZINFANDEL"

"Gretchen"

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