April 2025 Edition
By Laura McCabe
LKPD Communications Manager
Meet Mack, Shadow, and Taz, alongside their handlers, Corporal Kevin Henderson, Officer Josh Doncouse, and Officer Austin Twite. They’re officially 10 years old—the team that is.
Over the past decade, the Lawrence, Kansas Police Department’s Patrol Service Dog (PSD) Unit has made an immense impact on the community, apprehending hundreds of suspects and sniffing out a lot of dangerous drugs before they could cause harm.
To date, the unit has seized approximately 87.5 pounds of methamphetamine, 11 pounds of cocaine, 4.5 pounds of heroin, half a pound of fentanyl, and 938 pounds of marijuana.
A Vision of Proactive Policing
Corporal Kevin Henderson, who was instrumental in establishing the PSD Unit, says his motivation was to help prevent harm: “One of my driving forces was to take a more proactive approach in removing controlled substances from the streets before they could cause the tragic outcomes I’ve personally seen over the years.”
The addition, K9s have been a game changer when it comes to safe arrests and reducing officer risk.
“I’ve seen firsthand how just the presence of a K9 can saves the lives of both suspects and officers,” Henderson says. “When officers announce the K9 is on the scene or a suspect hears the dog bark, many times they surrender peacefully. Our K9s have helped us de-escalate situations and safely take even the most dangerous suspects into custody without any use of force whatsoever.”
Officer Austin Twite training with K9 Taz
A Community-Loved Program
Beyond law enforcement, the PSD Unit has become a beloved part of the Lawrence community. The team regularly participates in presentations at schools, scout groups, and retirement communities. You may have even encountered them at local events or heard tales on social media about the retired K9, Cheeseburger—who became a community favorite.
K9 Mack waits for Corporal Henderson’s next command.
How it Began
The story of the PSD Unit begins in Pipe Creek, Texas, at the Hill Country Dog Center. It was there the team began selecting K9s for their diverse roles. Henderson explains, “The dogs undergo various tests to identify desirable traits for their chosen discipline—whether it’s narcotics detection, explosives, or patrol functions.”
The goal was to find dual-purpose dogs that could perform multiple tasks and maximize the unit’s efficiency and effectiveness.
“We knew we couldn’t afford to have a dog limited to just one task,” says Henderson. “Our K9s need to be versatile.” This philosophy led to the unit creation of Patrol Service Dogs—K9s that work with officers who also work a standard patrol shift. The dogs are deployed, only as needed, to assist in apprehending suspects, detect controlled substances, or other tasks.
K9 Mack staring intently at his favorite reward toy.
The team returned from Texas with the department’s first two dogs, Kai and Cheeseburger. Once back in Lawrence, the officers began the Kansas Highway Patrol’s K9 Basic School, a rigorous 10-week training program offered twice a year at no cost to law enforcement agencies.
The Lawrence Police Department’s K9s have come from various countries, including the Netherlands, Poland, and Mexico.
Henderson notes, “People often ask if it matters whether a K9 is male or female, and it doesn’t. We’re focused solely on finding the dog that performs the best.” Most K9s are Belgian Malinois, German Shepherds, and Dutch Shepherds, known for their intelligence and agility. Today, all of Lawrence’s K9s are Belgian Malinois, and they are all male.
If you spot a dog on the streets, you’ll notice they wear the same ballistic vests as those worn by our officers for protection. The key difference lies in the cost. Each vest is custom-made to fit the dog while allowing them to move freely to perform their rigorous duties. Thankfully, the vests, which cost about $2,000 each, are donated by an organization called K9 Vests Midwest. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. generously provides the food for the dogs.
Corporal Henderson and K9 Mack at the
LKPD Training Center
Getting to Know Mack, Shadow, and Taz
Mack, the largest of the bunch, weighs in at a hefty 90+ pounds. Shadow, the fastest, has won medals in regional K9 games for his speed. And Taz, the newest addition, is the youngest of the trio.
The dogs live with their handlers, becoming members of the family, and they love going to work each day.
Corporal Henderson is also a certified trainer in both patrol and detection, ensuring that the PSD Unit maintains its high standards through weekly training sessions. Henderson also now serves as a certified judge for the Kansas Highway Patrol’s K9 certification process, assisting with evaluations of over 60 K9 teams across the state each year.
An Invaluable Asset to the Community
Looking back, Henderson reflects on the profound impact the K9 unit has had. “Having the ability to quickly deploy highly trained K9s has made our community safer and our officers more secure,” he says. “The presence of these skilled PSD teams has proven to be an invaluable asset to the Lawrence Police Department and to the people we serve.”
As they celebrate their 10-year anniversary, the Lawrence Police Department’s Patrol Service Dog Unit continues to make a difference in the lives of the officers and the residents they protect. Here’s to many more years of service, safety, and success.
If you’d like to make a cash donation to the program, the Lawrence Police Foundation accepts them through the Douglas County Community Foundation at https://bit.ly/LawrencePoliceFoundation.
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