A human-canine officer team is a tried and true law enforcement tool. With their keen eyesight, speed and sense of smell, police dogs can perform some tasks faster and at lower cost than human officers with less risk to officers and the public.
The Town of Cary formed its K9 unit in 2005 and and is used to track fleeing suspects, search for discarded or hidden evidence, detect illegal drugs, search buildings and help protect officers.
Citizens can help our K9 Teams concentrate on their job by not approaching them or trying to pet them while they are working.
Sergeant Seth Everett & K9 Logan
In February of 2022, K9 Logan graduated from a 14-week K9 training program in Cary. Logan is a brindle, tricolor, Dutch Shepherd from Holland. Sgt. Everett also functions as the K9 unit trainer having attended K9 Instructor School in Florida in the spring of 2011.
Officer Justin Platz and K9 Lemm
Officer Platz and Lemm have been serving together since January 2018. Prior to serving as a K9 Officer, Justin was a member of the Department's Emergency Response Team.
Lemm is a Belgium Malanois and is named after Air Force TSGT Joseph Lemm, who was killed while serving in Afghanistan in 2015.
Officer Matthew Cotten and K-9 Arlo
In February of 2022, K-9 Arlo graduated from a 14 week K-9 training program in Cary. Arlo is a black Dutch Shepherd from Holland. K-9 Arlo is assigned to Officer Matthew Cotten.
Officer Matt Berl and K-9 Nitro
K9 Nitro is Cary's first explosive detection capable police canine. He was born in Bogota, Colombia and transferred to the United States by Orchard Knolls Kennels out of Angier, North Carolina. Officer Berl and his K9 partner Nitro completed a 14 week training program and began their patrols in February 2022. Officer Berl and K9 Nitro will be able to sniff for explosive materials as well as track for missing critical persons.
K9 Max (Years Served 2005-2011)
Cary's first K9 team, Sgt. Jeremy Burgin and K9 Max, completed a 14-week training course in Angier in early June 2005. Max worked for the next six-and-a-half years, and was responsible for nearly 1,200 K9 reports, including over 400 drug sniffs, 230 tracks for missing/wanted persons and 127 community demonstrations. Max retired on Aug. 31, 2011 and went on to live the life of a spoiled member of the Burgin family household until his passing on Jan. 10, 2014.
K9 Axel (Years Served 2008-2009)
Cary's second K9 team, Officer Seth Everett and K9 Axel, began their law enforcement career in Carrboro before joining the Cary Police Department in 2008. Axel, a German Shepherd born in West Germany, was given to Officer Everett as a 7-week-old puppy. K9 Axel worked in Cary for two years and was responsible for finding over 100 missing and/or wanted persons during his career. K9 Axel passed away on Oct. 22, 2012 following a well-deserved retirement with the Everett family.
K9 Robby (Years Served 2013-2016)
Cary's third K9 team, Officer Phil Humphries and K9 Robby graduated from a 7-week K9 training class and worked for several years as an dedicated member of the Cary Police Department. K9 Robby retired in December of 2016 and found his forever home with the Humphries family.
K9 Brackeen (Years Served 2018-2020)
K9 Brackeen graduated from their 14-week training program January 2018. K9 Brackeen is a fawn colored Belgium Malanois from Poland and served with Officer Scott McInerny until his retirement in 2021.
K9 Chase (Years Served 2013-2021)
In November 2013 K9 Chase graduated from a 14 week K-9 training program and was assigned to handler Seth Everett. Chase was a brindle German Shepherd from Holland. Chase served the Cary Community until he retired in 2021.
Meeting Our K9s
If you would like to schedule a time to meet one of the Town’s K9 teams at your school or civic group meeting, please contact Justin Platz .
Donating to Cary’s K9 Program
If you’d like to send a tax-deductible donation, please make the check out to the Town of Cary and put on the memo line that it is for the K9 program. Send the check to:
Town of Cary
Attn: Finance Department
P.O. Box 8005
Cary, NC 27512-8005
Want to Know More?
The United States Police Canine Association has information on K9 programs across the country.
