Meet K-9 Diesel: Oro Valley’s Newest Four-Legged Officer
The Oro Valley Police Department has a furry new member on the team, and his name is Diesel. This energetic Belgian Malinois is stepping into the pawprints of K-9 Emerson, who retired in 2018 after a dedicated service from 2011.
Thanks to a generous $12,000 donation from local realtor Lisa Bayless, the OVPD was able to bring Diesel on board. “I love Oro Valley and I love dogs,” Bayless shared. “Helping keep our town safe is something I’m proud to support.” Diesel didn’t just show up ready for work, though—he completed a challenging 12-week training program. Now, he’s all set to help with everything from narcotics detection to suspect apprehension. You’ll see him out on patrol, ready to respond to various calls.
The Canyon Del Oro Kennel Club chipped in as well, donating $3,000 to help Diesel complete his certification. Over the past eight years, this supportive club has contributed over $16,000 to the OVPD K-9 program. Their help ensures that dogs like Diesel can be the best police partners possible.
Diesel, who came from the Czech Republic via Adlerhorst International LLC, is in good hands with Officer Kevin Peterson. Peterson, a 10-year OVPD veteran, was also the handler for K-9 Emerson. Diesel joins K-9 Bruno, who also works in patrol, and Justin, who specializes in explosive detection.
As for Emerson, he’s now enjoying a well-deserved retirement at Officer Peterson’s home. These loyal dogs often face medical issues after their service. If you’d like to help support retired K-9s with their medical expenses, the Oro Valley Optimists Club has set up a fund to ease the financial burden on their handlers. For more details, visit their website.