K-9 Ofc. Axel & Officer McDermott

K9 Axel, a Belgian Malinois, was born in Holland in 2014. He was acquired by the HTPD in 2015 and is partnered with Officer McDermott. K9 Axel received his initial training at Shallows Creek Kennels and is dual trained in patrol related activities & narcotics detection. As Axel has mature over the years, he really enjoys the meet and greets while on duty! When not at work, Axel loves playing in his background yard with his family.

K-9 Ofc. Bodhi & Ofc. McLaughlin

K9 Bodhi, a Belgian Malinois, was born in Poland in 2019. He was acquired by the HTPD in 2021 and is partnered with Ofc.McLaughlin. K9 Bodhi received his initial training at Shallows Creek Kennel and is trained in dual purpose-patrol and narcotics detection. Bodhi loves to train and play fetch. When not at work, Bodhi loves going for runs and swimming at the beach.

K-9 Ofc. Winnie & Officer Patterson

K9 Winnie, a black Labrador Retriever, was born 3/7/21. She was acquired from Pacific Coast K9 in 2023 and is partnered with Ofc. Patterson. K9 Winnie graduated the Iron Rose K9 academy June 2023 and is trained in single purpose narcotics detection. While at work she loves to use her nose and play hide and seek. K9 Winnie especially loves to play fetch and swim in the water on her days off.

K-9 Ofc. Dawkins & Officer Murtha

K9 Dawkins, a Belgian Malinois born in Hungary in 2023, was acquired by the HTPD in 2024. He is partnered with Officer Murtha, who has been with the department since June 2020. Dawkins underwent training at Iron Rose K9 in November 2024 and is dual-trained in patrol activities and narcotics detection. He was generously donated by the Boscia family and named after Officer Murtha’s favorite Eagles player, Brian Dawkins. When not on duty, Dawkins enjoys playing fetch, going for runs, and watching Eagles football games with his handler.

Ret. K-9 Ofc. Barr & Ofc. Valvardi

In the beginning Officer John Valvardi considered several names for his K9 Partner. Tracer, Spartan, Ronin, Jessup, Shani, Raiden, and Strijder. Ofc. Valvardi asked his fellow officers for input. It was then that the name Barr was suggested. Ofc. Valvardi decided on the namesake Barr to both remember Ofc. Barr and instill pride and comradery in the Haverford Township Police Department.

On Friday May 24th 2013 Ofc. John Valvardi and his K9 partner Barr successfully completed their four week training with Castle K9 and were certified for Patrol duties. Barr was certified though the North American Police Work Dog Association in Narcotics Detection, Obedience, Article Search, Area Search, Building Search, Tracking and Aggression Control.

K9 Barr along with his handler were recognized by the United States Congress in September 2013 for his outstanding and invaluable service to the community. Barr received a distinguished unit commendation for his role in the apprehension of the suspect from the Manoa Shopping Center Santander Bank Robbery in June 2014. He received a letters of commendation from both the Valley Forge Military College and Newtown Township Police Department for his role in sniffing for drugs at these institutions. In 2018 Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia commended K9 Barr for visiting with their patients. Finally in December 2021 Upper Darby Township Police recognized Barr for his role in sniffing the exterior of a vehicle which led to the discovery of a hidden compartment that was concealing a large amount of cocaine.

K9 Barr retired after 9 years of service on 11/10/2022. He passed away in March 2024 with his family at his side. Thank you for your service Barr!

K-9 Ofc. Jango & Ofc. Linker

K9 Jango is the second Police K9 employed by the Haverford Twp Police Department. Jango was born on 3/7/2012. He is a mix Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd. Jango began his training with Ofc Linker on 3/1/2013. For the next 10 years they would be known as 73-K2.
Ofc. Douglas Linker and K9 Jango were certified according the North American Police Working Dog Associations standards, by Castle’s K9 Inc. in April 2013. Ofc. Linker and Jango have maintained a yearly certification since April 2013. Jango is trained and certified in Patrol and Narcotics detection. Training and proficiency assessments are conducted periodically, typically monthly, between each certification. Over the course of their 10 years together 73-K2 has handled several notable incidents:

June- 2014

73-K2 responded to the area of Maryland and Roosevelt to search for suspects of a bank robbery that just occurred at the Santander Bank. A perimeter was quickly set up and Ofc. Linker and Jango focused on an area of shrubbery. After giving commands, the suspect did surrender and was taken into custody without incident.

May- 2016

Following an armed robbery that just occurred in the area of Grasslyn and Eagle, and subsequent foot pursuit of the suspects by Marple Police, 73-K2 responded to West Chester Pike and New Ardmore. Jango was deployed conducting a track for the suspect. During the track Jango did locate a black athletic sock containing a handgun. A second search was conducted in the area where Marple had apprehend a suspect. During this search a second handgun was located.

August-2018

73-K2 was dispatched to Upper Darby to assist with a narcotic search of a residence. As a result of the search K9 Jango indicated on several locations resulting in the seizure of approximately 8 lbs of suspected methamphetamines.

October-2019

73-K2 was dispatched to 826 Aubrey for an interrupted burglary. Jango was deployed and conducted a track leading to the front door of a residence at 852 Aubrey. Contact was made with a resident inside 852 Aubrey and a suspect was taken into custody.

December-2022

While conducting a traffic stop for suspected mail theft, Ofc. McGibney reported the suspect vehicle to be fleeing and he was in pursuit. After a brief pursuit the suspect vehicle crashed on Karakung Drive. Upon 73-K2’s arrival, Jango was deployed to search for 2 subjects who fled from the vehicle. Jango did conduct a positive track which pushed the suspects into Lower Merion Township where they were taken into custody by LMPD who were in the area to assist.

May 2023

At the request of Upper Darby Police 73-K2 responded to West Chester Pike and Keystone. Jango was deployed on a track for a suspect in an alley. While conducting the search Jango pulled towards a parked van. Ofc. Linker immediately observed the suspects feet under the van. Upper Darby Police took the suspect into custody without incident.
Jango and Officer Linker and have worked together for over 10 years. As of Nov. 30, 2023, K9 Jango has been deployed on the following incidents:

1. Tracking – 55
2. Building Searches – 59
3. Area Searches – 23
4. Narcotics Sniff/Search – 120
5. Other – 23

After 10 years of service, over 19,000 hours of training, Jango has earned a well-deserved rest. It may take him a while to adjust to Doug going to work without him, but he can now enjoy being a single purpose k9. That sole purpose is family pet. Enjoy your retirement.