MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 22, 2004
2:30 P.M.
Alexandria Police Dog Wins National K-9 Competition;
Former Family Pet “Bear” Named Top Explosive Detector in Country
An Alexandria police K-9 team won top honors at a national competition last week. “Bear,” a three-year-old black Labrador retriever, and his handler, Sergeant John Zook, finished first in explosive detection at the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) national detector dog trials in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
Prior to the September 11 terrorist attacks, “Bear” was living with a family in Fairfax County. In the fall of 2001, when the Alexandria Police Department began training more dogs in explosive detection, “Bear” was donated to the police department and partnered with Sergeant Zook. He completed training in April 2002 under the direction of Officer Danny Page, a veteran K-9 handler.
As a single-purpose dog trained specifically to detect explosives, “Bear” does not make apprehensions or perform traditional police K-9 duties. He has worked at the federal court proceedings of Zacarias Moussaoui and at visits by the President and Vice-President, as well as at parades and festivals.
Sergeant Zook joined the Alexandria Police Department in 1980. He has overseen the Special Events Unit for the past three years and is now beginning his new assignment as supervisor of the K-9 Unit.
Note: Sergeant John Zook and “Bear” will be available to the media on Tuesday, March 23. Please contact the Public Information Office at 703.838.4636 for interviews.
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