Charger, a Fairfax County Police Bloodhound, passed away on June 13 from cancer. He was on his final walk through the woods near his home with his faithful handler by his side.

 Charger was born on Feb. 23, 2002 in Pont Rouge, Quebec, Canada. He came to Fairfax County in May of that same year and started his training a month later. Chargers new police family was primarily responsible for his initial training. The Spotsylvania County Sheriffs Department and Maryland State Police K9 units, with assistance from the Law Enforcement Bloodhound Association, provided additional training, which lasted for almost a year. Chargers main responsibility was to find people those who were lost and those who had committed crimes.

Charger and his human partner, Lieutenant Pat Ronan, responded to hundreds of calls for service. One of the most memorable tracks was of a suspected rapist. Charger led Ronan and patrol officers to an apartment where the suspect was located and eventually arrested.

Chargers favorite toy was a little red ball; shake the ball and a light would glow inside. He loved to chase the little red ball that glowed. His favorite treats were Alpo dog treats, his reward for a job well done. For all of the great things he did, he was still a dog and chewed everything in sight. Somehow, that was ok with Ronan.

Charger was a very special friend, companion and dedicated police K9, he will be missed