On March 7th, 2023, the City Council recognized the retirement of K-9 officer Duco, as presented by Police Chief James Brandon.
Duco is an 11-year old Dutch Shephard that came to the Southlake Police Department from the Netherlands in February of 2015. He was partnered with Officer Nate Anderson and together they have been responsible for tracking felons, numerous drug busts, and apprehending criminals, as displayed by his mutual aid with the Colleyville Police Department two weeks ago.
Duco has been a partner that is an excellent interpreter of aggression, intent, body language, and energy. He has been trusted to interpret these intentions and react appropriately in any situation.
“When I'm told that Duco and Officer Anderson have been deployed in Southlake or one of our surrounding cities, I don't feel apprehensive,” Chief Brandon said. “I immediately feel confident that the situation will be handled appropriately. We can simply do no better than Duco and Officer Anderson.”
Although Duco is retiring, Officer Anderson will soon receive another partner and continue in his capacity as a K-9 handler.
“Duco has been a match for me the moment we crossed paths,” Officer Anderson said. “He elevated me as a handler and allowed me to experience and accept challenges that were far outside my comfort zones.”
Chief Brandon, speaking on behalf of a grateful City and Police Department, wished Duco a great retirement of “ear scratches and tennis balls.”
For the past ten years, Southlake Police Chief James Brandon has led the department first as an assistant chief and now as Chief.
As far back as he can remember, Brandon only ever wanted to be a cop. He started his path to Southlake with the Corpus Christi Police Department.
"I can remember having conversations where I would have told you I will never be a chief. I don't have that desire," Brandon stated. "But every time there was an opening in the level above me, I thought, 'Well, I think I can do that, and I think I can do a good job, and I don't want to let somebody else do it because maybe they don't do a good job.' I always joke that I stumbled a lot; I just fall upwards."
Since 2015, when he was named Chief of Police, Brandon has worked to create a department that adheres to the highest standard of accreditation through the Center for Law Enforcement Accreditation. That, coupled with an award-winning School Resource Officer program and continuous efforts to maintain high morale and performance amongst his staff, has made a busy ten years for the Chief.
But then, in 2020, Brandon got the news that changed his life at home and on the job.
Listen to this Southlake Story to hear more.
For the past ten years, Southlake Police Chief James Brandon has led the department first as an assistant chief and now as Chief.
As far back as he can remember, Brandon only ever wanted to be a cop. He started his path to Southlake with the Corpus Christi Police Department.
"I can remember having conversations where I would have told you I will never be a chief. I don't have that desire," Brandon stated. "But every time there was an opening in the level above me, I thought, 'Well, I think I can do that, and I think I can do a good job, and I don't want to let somebody else do it because maybe they don't do a good job.' I always joke that I stumbled a lot; I just fall upwards."
Since 2015, when he was named Chief of Police, Brandon has worked to create a department that adheres to the highest standard of accreditation through the Center for Law Enforcement Accreditation. That, coupled with an award-winning School Resource Officer program and continuous efforts to maintain high morale and performance amongst his staff, has made a busy ten years for the Chief.
But then, in 2020, Brandon got the news that changed his life at home and on the job.
Listen to this Southlake Story to hear more.
