K-9 Unit
The Centralia Police Department K-9 Unit was created by order of Chief Ken Payne in 1979. Since that time, a total of thirteen certified police K-9s have served the community as general service and narcotic police dogs.
Current Centralia Police K-9 Teams (2025):
- Officer Kyle Stockdale and K-9 Havik
- Officer Daniel Cox and K-9 Hector
Past Centralia Police K-9 Teams:
- Officer Bob Willey and K-9 Cody
- Officer Bob Willey and K-9 Joker
- Officer Bob Willey and K-9 Kody
- Officer Brad Reynolds and K-9 Joker
- Officer Don Tardiff and K-9 Gunner
- Officer Ruben Ramirez and K-9 Lobo
- Officer Ruben Ramirez and Narcotics K-9 Vida
- Officer Stephen Summers and K-9 Samson
- Officer Steve Dawes and Narcotics K-9 Duke
- Officer Tracy Murphy and K-9 Bak
- Sergeant Brian Warren and K-9 Kayo
- Officer Ruben Ramirez and K-9 Pax
A general service K-9 is trained in tracking human scent; searching buildings for intruders; searching open fields and areas for evidence; officer protection, vehicle protection and crowd control. In addition, a police dog trained in narcotics detection is capable of searching vehicles, houses and commercial businesses for drugs and drug paraphernalia.
Centralia K-9s have traditionally been German Shepherd dogs as they are strong, easily trained and very loyal. Each officer/dog team completes a three-month training program followed by certification tests conducted by the Washington State Police Canine Association. The dogs, owned by the City of Centralia, are housed with the K-9 handlers and their families. At the end of the animal's productive service life, each dog is retired, and ownership is transferred to the handler.
Our K-9 units are regularly called upon to assist other law enforcement agencies in our area. The police department takes great pride in providing the very best K-9 team available to the citizens of our area.
Update 2025
With the retirements of Officer Ramirez and K9 Pax in January 2025, we are raising funds to purchase a new K9 for Centralia Police Department. A new K9 can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $20,000 and all of these funds come from donations. Every dollar helps! Keep an eye out for a raffle sponsored by the Centralia PD K9 Association this Fall to raise money.
Donations
Police dogs are purchased exclusively through donations from citizens and businesses. Equipment, food and even ballistic vests for the dogs are donated by citizens and local businesses. Should you wish to schedule a K-9 demonstration for your group, school or business, or if you wish to make a donation to the K-9 unit, please contact the Centralia Police Department at 360-330-7680 and ask for Officer Stockdale or Karen St. Clair.