Franklin Police Department to Retire Two Beloved K9s, Friday

Posted on by

At 2:15, on Friday at Police Headquarters, the Franklin Police Department will honor the service of two retiring canines: Thor, assigned to Sgt. Aaron Compton, has served the Franklin Community since 2011; and Axel, assigned to Officer Brett Spivy, has served since 2008.

“These police canine partners are a special part of the Franklin Police Department and our community,” said Chief Deborah Faulkner. “They have demonstrated, many times, that they have incredible heart, courage, and dedication. Now, they will be rewarded for a job well-done with the opportunity to play more ball and relax at home with their family who dearly loves them.”

Thor and Axel’s replacements, Duke and Zeke (pronounced Zeek), are in the midst of an intensive training program to prepare them for lives as canine crime-fighters. The Franklin Police Department’s award-winning K9 Unit is regularly called on to detect drugs, and to search for and apprehend dangerous felons.


Media representatives wishing to cover this event can confirm their attendance, at Friday’s 30-minute ceremony, by e-mail to: cwarner@franklintn.gov

Noteworthy accomplishments for both Thor and Axel are detailed below:

Aaron Compton and Thor.Thor
2012 Region 13 United States Police Canine Association Certification, Hendersonville, TN:
3rd Place Overall
1st Place Novice Dog
1st Place Obedience
2nd Place Total Search
2nd Place Article Search
3rd Place Agility

2012 USPCA National Field Trial, Punta Gorda, FL:
Vice Champion (2nd Place Overall)
3rd Place Department Team
2nd Place Criminal Apprehension
4th Place Total Search

2013 USPCA National Field Trial, Charles County, MD:
6th Place Overall
5th Place Agility
5th Place Criminal Apprehension

2014 Region 13 USPCA Certification, Nashville, TN:
2nd Place Overall
2nd Place Obedience
3rd Place Total Search

Spivy, Brett and Axel.Axel

  • USPCA Region 13 Overall Champion: 2012, 2013, and 2014
  • Sgt. Jimmy D. Anderson Award winner: 2013 and 2014  (Combination of Obedience and Criminal Apprehension for Region 13)
  • Captain Tom Larsen Memorial Award – National Search Champion 2012
  • National Obedience Champion 2013
  • Patrick Cahill Memorial Award winner: 2013 (Combination of Obedience and Criminal Apprehension, in the Nation)
  • National Vice-Champion 2014 (2nd Place Overall)

Axel is responsible for some impressive contributions on the street, including a 340 pound marijuana discovery, and a 10 pound marijuana discovery in 2011. He has located and apprehended suspects in several serious felony cases, and located two guns used by suspects in armed robberies.

Thor and Axel have given hundreds of demonstrations to thousands of supporters during their distinguished careers. They will be missed.

6 thoughts on “Franklin Police Department to Retire Two Beloved K9s, Friday”

  1. Where will they go to finish out their lives? How old are they? Do they need a home?

  2. Thank you for your service our furry friends and protectors of our community! Enjoy your retirement!

  4. Give those precious babies a big pat and hug from us! Their service is invaluable! LOVE these pics :-)))

    Sent from my iPad

    >

  5. Thank you for your service Axel and Thor and happy retirement years ahead. Is the public invited to attend the ceremony?

Leave a Reply