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Died 5/31/16
Handler – Officer Steve Crocker
Westbrook Police mourn loss of beloved retired K-9
The Westbrook Police Department is mourning the loss of one of their beloved K-9s. Dragon, a retired Westbrook K-9, passed away on Memorial Day. Dragon began his career as a police dog in 2003, when he was just 8-months-old. He and his handler, retired Westbrook Officer Steve Crocker, started their training with the New Hampshire Working Dog Foundation, and later trained with the Law Enforcement Dogs of Maine. Dragon proved his abilities with his very first track, in which he located the suspect who fled a traffic stop, after the man crashed his car, climbed a high fence, and fled on foot. After tracking him over several different surfaces, the suspect was located about a mile and a half away, hiding under a car, according to police. More successes followed, with Dragon locating missing and wanted people as well as finding illegal drugs. He and Officer Crocker competed in several regional PD1 Trials, winning several categories, including the over-all top team finish. In 2007, Dragon moved to the Detective Division with Officer Crocker, and continued to perform exceptionally well in his duties. On one occasion, he located drugs and cash hidden in a hidden compartment of a car of a suspected drug trafficker. The money totaled over $17,000, and the find led to the discovery of more drugs and money by drug agents at a second location, according to police. In 2011, Dragon received a Life Saving Award from the Maine Association of Police for locating a woman in a wooded area in Portland, who was attempting to commit suicide. Dragon retired in 2014. “Working with Dragon was the highlight of my career at Westbrook P.D. He was a great partner who worked very hard and made me proud. The past few years he enjoyed a restful retirement and was a valued member of my family. He will be missed,” Officer Crocker said.
