Dodger

Handler: Ronald Stemen
Breed: Labrador
DOB: 9/21/2009
Department: Ohio Division of State Fire Marshal
Function: Explosive Detection
Years Worked: 12/20/2010 – 5/13/2019

Canine Dodger was born in Ohio and was rescued from the greater Cincinnati area. Dodger then trained every day for his career in law enforcement. Dodger started his career by being trained by the Columbus Division of Fire Bomb Squad in November of 2010 to become the first Ohio Division of State Fire Marshal Explosive Detection Canine. Dodger has been trained to detect many different types of explosives, firearms and post-blast debris. He is trained in the food reward methodology and trains every day to keep his skills sharp. Dodger supports missions regarding Homeland Security and other law enforcement functions throughout Ohio.  He also assists the U.S. Marshal’s Service in their missions as a task force officer.  Dodger served the citizens of the Buckeye State and was stationed in Columbus, Ohio.

Since graduation from the canine training academy in 2011 Dodger has worked closely with the USMS explosive detection canine team. Dodger has been deployed on countless missions with Canine Mario searching for weapons, evidence at post blast scenes, as well as, protecting the citizens of Ohio. The true partnership between the U.S. Marshals Service and the State Fire Marshal’s Office is readily apparent in the working relationship between the explosive detection canines. It was very normal for Mario and Dodger to seen working, playing and resting together on the campus.

In the spring of 2019 after 8 ½ years of service and a multitude of missions Canine Dodger retired from service. He is now enjoying life, living at his home in Blacklick, Ohio with his handler, Ron Stemen, and his family. In the 8 ½ years of service Dodger assisted in several bomb threats, pre-event sweeps, protection details, evidence searches and conducted many demonstrations. Some of the highlights include: the RNC, NCAA Basketball Tournaments, NFL Football Hall of Fame, MLB All-Star Game, OU and OSU Football, many presidential visits, bomb threats and evidence searches. Dodger has been a big asset to the safety of Ohio.

Dodger’s Career Statistics:
Missions: 1,438
Demonstrations: 287
Finds: 387
Citizens Served: 15,575,923