The Alexandria Police Department showed its appreciation for the service of several K9s and their handlers with a reception March 29 at the K9 kennels at the Nannie J. Lee Center.

APD Officer Brian Fromm was presented with a shadowbox commemorating his time with the K9 unit.

“I was a K9 handler from 2004-2023,” said Fromm, who has left the unit but remains with the department. “Working with my partners – I worked with three dogs -- K9 Titan, K9 Odin, and K9 Zeus – we caught quite a few bad guys. We were able to make the community safer.”

Retired K9s Odin and Zeus remain in Fromm’s care.

Officer Steven Escobar was recognized along with the late K9 Zara, who he worked with for 7-and-a-half years.

“Zara was a bomb detection dog,” Escobar said. “We did a lot of explosive sweeps, parades, and assisted with the United States Marine Corps Marathon to make sure everything was safe. I am now with K9 Stella. She has been on the streets almost three years and is also a patrol and explosive detection dog.”

APD Sgt. Kyle Russel presented the plaques, which included one for retired K9 Stryker, who was handled from 2016 to 2022 by Officer Matthew Wilson, who could not attend the ceremony.

www.alexandriava.gov/police-department/canine-unit

APD Sgt. Kyle Russel, left, presents a plaque commemorating the service of the late K9 Zara to Officer Steven Escobar March 29 at the K9 kennels at the Lee Center.