Canine Central

Dolley served as an accelerant detection canine from April 2014 until October 25, 2021. During her service for LC-CFRS, she worked out of the Fire Marshal’s Office with her handler, Captain Bud Herndon. In just over seven years of service, she worked 126 fire scenes, not including daily training requirements. Her work ranged from open area searches to commercial buildings and everything in between. In those seven years, she and Captain Herndon deployed on two National Response Team callouts and assisted federal, state and local agencies in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. She was featured in a National Geographic children’s book titled Dolley the Fire Dog, which is sold around the world, educating children on fire safety concepts through a “day in the life” perspective.

Jimmy had a distinguished career working from March 2008 to her retirement March 14, 2014. Throughout her time of service, Jimmy worked over 210 active accelerant detection canine activities (not including daily training). She and her handler, Captain William "Bud" Herndon, achieved a 100% success rate as confirmed by a laboratory, for the last three (3) years of her illustrious career. This is a notable accomplishment, and one that earned Jimmy the title of "Ole' Reliable" throughout the region.

Jimmy passed away March 2, 2021.  Although no longer with us, she will forever be in our hearts!  

Shadow served as an explosives detection canine. During his service for LC-CFRS, he worked out of the Fire Marshal’s Office with his handler, Brian Kennedy.

 Although no longer with us, he will never be forgotten. 

Ogden served as an explosives detection canine. During his service for LC-CFRS, he worked out of the Fire Marshal’s Office with his handler, Jason Shirkey.

Although no longer with us, he will always be loved. 

Murphy served as an explosives detection canine. During his service for LC-CFRS, he worked out of the Fire Marshal’s Office with his handler, Larry Gochenour.

Although no longer with us, he will forever be in our hearts!  

Flash served diligently until his retirement. He was LC-CFRS's second scent trailing bloodhound. During his service for LC-CFRS, he worked out of the Fire Marshal’s Office with his handler, Deputy Fire Marshal Jerome Swain. Flash was used to detect and follow human scent. Many breeds will do this but not quite as well as a bloodhound. The bloodhound is unique as it can discriminate between scents, and differentiate between specific people. Once given an article containing the scent of the person to look for, they can and will follow (trail) that person until there is no more scent or they become exhausted.

Although no longer with us, he will always be loved. 

Grace served diligently from 2008 until her retirement on May 13, 2016. She was LC-CFRS's first scent trailing bloodhound. During her service for LC-CFRS, she worked out of the Fire Marshal’s Office with her handler, Deputy Fire Marshal Jerome Swain. Grace was used to detect and follow human scent. Many breeds will do this but not quite as well as a bloodhound. The bloodhound is unique as it can discriminate between scents, and differentiate between specific people. Once given an article containing the scent of the person to look for, they can and will follow (trail) that person until there is no more scent or they become exhausted.

Although no longer with us, she will forever be in our hearts!  

Onyx served as an accelerant detection canine. During her service for LC-CFRS, she worked out of the Fire Marshal’s Office with her handler, Deputy Fire Marshal Jerome Swain.

Although no longer with us, she will never be forgotten.

Marco was LC-CFRS's first explosives detection canine. During his service for LC-CFRS, he worked out of the Fire Marshal’s Office with his handler, Pat Brandenburg.

Although no longer with us, he will always be loved.  

Nikki was LC-CFRS's first accelerant detection canine. During her service for LC-CFRS, she worked out of the Fire Marshal’s Office with her handler, Pat Brandenburg.

Although no longer with us, she will forever be in our hearts!