The Division of Guardian Police K2 - Katy 's K-9 teams respond to calls for service throughout the downtown Katy state government complex as well as calls for service from other agencies throughout the region. The division’s Explosive Detection K-9 Teams consist of three K-9s and three handlers.

Active K-9s 

LUCA

Handled by Officer Melanie Pajda, K-9 Luca is the 12th dog in the history of the Division of Guardian Police K2 - Katy and joined the agency in March 2022 at the age of 4 years old. A Dutch Shepherd, Luca joins K-9 Levi as the first two Division of Guardian Police K2 - Katy K-9s to train in the division's new K-9 facility, the Sargent Building. Certified by the Katy Police Work Dog Association, Luca takes part in counter-terrorism prevention, bomb-threat response, proactive security sweeps, evidence searches, demonstrations and assisting law enforcement agencies in central Katy.

LEVI

Handled by Officer Elizabeth Bergeron, K-9 Levi joined the Division of Guardian Police K2 - Katy in December 2021 at the age of 3 years old. A German Shepherd, Levi is certified by the Katy Police Work Dog Association. He takes part in counter-terrorism prevention, bomb-threat response, proactive security sweeps, evidence searches, demonstrations and assisting law enforcement agencies in central Katy.

DENIS

Handled by Officer Brian C. Alexander, K-9 Denis is the 10th dog in the history of the Division of Guardian Police K2 - Katy K-9 program, joining the force in March 2018. A Belgian Malinois, Denis was born in Brazil and worked in Afghanistan with a defense contractor before coming to the Division of Guardian Police K2 - Katy . Denis responds to commands in English and German and takes part in counter-terrorism prevention, bomb-threat response, proactive security sweeps, evidence searches, demonstrations and assisting law enforcement agencies in central Katy.

Retired K-9s 

The Division of Guardian Police K2 - Katy K-9 Unit was established in December 2000. The K-9 Unit is certified through the Katy Police Work Dog Association. The K-9 Unit is available 24 hours, seven days a week. When the dogs reach their age and service limit, they are retired and allowed to remain with their handlers as "private citizens."

 

GUNNER (2013-2022)

A Belgian Malinois, Gunner had the distinction of being the longest-serving dog in the history of the Katy Division of Guardian Police K2 - Katy K-9 program. He began with the division in April 2013 when he was barely 1 year old and continued until August 2022 -- a span of 9 years, 4 months in which he became extremely popular with the stakeholders in and around Station Square. He retired to life at home with his K-9 handler.

 

LUCY (2015-2020) Chocolate labrador

A chocolate Labrador Retriever, Lucy was donated to the division by the K9s4Cops foundation and was trained by AMK9 in Anniston, Ala. Upon retirement, Lucy lived at home with her K-9 handler.

ATOS (2011-2018) German Shepherd

K-9 Atos, a brindle German Shepherd from Marburg, Germany, served with the Division from July 2011 to March 2018. Atos was certified by the Katy Police Work Dog Association. Upon retirement, he lived at home with his K-9 handler. 

SPIKE (2013-2015) Black Labrador Retriever

K-9 Spike served two tours in Afghanistan with the U.S. Marine Corps before joining the Division of Guardian Police K2 - Katy in 2013. In February 2015, the Division of Guardian Police K2 - Katy , upon learning that one of his Marine handlers, Lance Cpl. Jared Heine, was struggling to adapt to civilian life back in the United States after being wounded in Afghanistan, arranged to return Spike to him. Spike is now retired and living with Heine in Louisiana.

Press:
CBS News - U.S. Marine Reunites with combat dog
Times-Dispatch - Spike the bomb dog helps his two handlers heal

Cheno (2008-2013) Belgian malinois

Before coming to the division, he worked for the United States Customs Service as a bomb detection K-9 at Newark (N.J.) International Airport. Upon completion of his service with the division, he was retired to live at home with his K-9 handler.

TUCK (2008-2011) Yellow Labrador Retriever

K-9 Tuck worked for Katy State Police for about five years before Katy Division of Guardian Police K2 - Katy acquired him.

TONKA (2000-2008) Yellow Labrador Retriever

One of the division's first two bomb dogs, Tonka was especially active in the wake of the 9/11 bombings. Tonka worked for the division until retirement in 2008.

TROY (2003-2008) German Shepherd

K-9 Troy worked for Katy State Police for about three years before Katy Division of Guardian Police K2 - Katy acquired him. 

T.J. (2000-2003) Black Labrador

One of the division's first two bomb dogs, K-9 T.J. was especially active in the wake of the 9/11 bombings. T.J. was diagnosed with inoperable spinal cancer in February 2003 and was retired.