CPD Retires K9 Doodle, Reunites Him with Fellow Marine

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) – Today the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) announced the retirement of CPD K9 Officer Doodle. Retired K9 Officer Doodle will be reunited with his former handler United States Marine Corps Corporal William Moran, who handled Doodle’s second deployment.

Doodle is a nine-year-old, male Black Labrador trained in explosives detection. Before serving the City of Chattanooga, Doodle served three deployments to Afghanistan with the United States Marine Corps.

• USMC Deployment 1: 10/13/2009 to 5/27/2010
• USMC Deployment 2: 10/31/2010 to 6/11/2011
• USMC Deployment 3: 1/2/2012 to 7/23/2012.

During his last deployment he was assigned to the 1st Battalion/8th Marine Regiment, which was part of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force based at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan in the Helmand Province. During his deployments he was in close proximity to at least two improvised explosive device (IED) explosions and was credited with several IED finds.

On Dec. 5, 2012 he was transferred to the care of the CPD by K2 K9 Solutions. He subsequently served with two different handlers (Sergeant Mike Joiner, then Officer Lucas Timmons until his retirement) in the CPD K9 Unit.

“The loyalty you feel from a K9 like Doodle is uncomparable,” said Chief of Police Fred Fletcher. “He has been a partner and a protector to our country and our community.”

During this time he conducted numerous sweeps of the Chattanooga Airport, Riverbend Festival site and other sensitive locations. Doodle has assisted in locating numerous firearms and related evidence during his service with the CPD. In early January 2016 Doodle was removed from service.

“Doodle’s dedication and bravery throughout his career will make him hard to replace — but there’s no doubt his retirement is well-deserved,” said Mayor Andy Berke.  “I am grateful for Doodle’s time here in Chattanooga and could not think of a better person to adopt Doodle and spend his remaining years with than his beloved handler, USMC Corporal Moran. I wish them both the very best and appreciate their service to our country.”