Sgt. Waldron and Zeus

Defiance Police Department K-9 Unit

The Defiance Police Department K-9 program started as an idea from the rank and file of the Defiance Police Department in the fall of 1994. Sgt. Larry Hall, now retired, researched the idea and what it would cost to start the program. The Allen county Indiana Sheriff’s Department had a K-9 Training Academy. Sgt. Hall found that it would cost about $10,000.00 which included training, a police dog and converting a police cruiser to safely transport the K-9. The Defiance Fraternal Order of the Eagles donated the entire $10,000.00 for the program.

Ptl. Steve Gebhart was chosen as the K-9 Officer and on April 4th, 1995 started his 14 week training at the Allen County Indiana Training Academy where he met his new partner, a German Shepherd who was one year old. The Police K-9 was named Eagle in honor of the Defiance Fraternal Order of the Eagles who had donated the money needed. Defiance Metal Products donated and installed a special unit for the Police K-9 cruiser to safely transport Eagle. The Defiance Veterinary Clinic owned and operated by Dr. Van Vlerah, donated all of Eagle’s medical care. Eagle was retired on January 1st, 2003 after almost 8 years of active duty.

In 2002 the Defiance Police Department decided to put their second K-9 into service to replace K-9 Eagle. Officers of the Department went to the community to as for donations to assist with the cost of training, equipment and the cost of a new dog. Again, the Defiance Fraternal Order of the Eagles came through with a donation of $10,000.00 which was secured by Sgt. Larry Hall. Ptl. John G. Williamson III secured a donation of $5,000.00 from the Defiance Veterans of Foreign Wars. Other generous donations were received from local businesses.

Ptl. Steve Waldron was selected to be the next K-9 handler. In July of 2002, Ptl. Steve Waldron met his new partner, a German Shepherd from Czechoslovakia who was two years of age. Several school children from the local schools sent in names to name the new K-9 and a member of the Defiance Fraternal Order of the Eagles and Defiance Veterans of Foreign Wars picked the name Zeus. Ptl. Waldron and Zeus started K-9 training on September 9th, 2002 at the Allen County, Indiana’s Sheriff’s Department.

After 14 weeks at the K-9 Academy, Ptl. Waldron and Zeus graduated with Zeus being classified as a utility dog. Zeus is certified in drug detection, tracking, obedience, article searches and aggression training. Every two years Ptl. Waldron and Zeus must complete re-certification. The K-9 is a valuable tool to police work by assisting road officers, the Multi Area Narcotics Unit, probation, parole, local schools and educating the public through K-9 demos. Dr. Van Vlerah from the Defiance Veterinary Clinic donates all of Zeus’s medical care.