| Sgt. F. G. Clark, the training supervisor and Officer in charge of the first k9 corp for the City of Richmond. Sgt. Clark (at the time of this photo) went on to attain the rank of captain before retiring from the police department. |
 | In 1958 Sgt. Floyd G. Clark, Jr. went to Baltimore Maryland to observe the training techniques of the Baltimore Police K9 Corps. Here seen is Major L. Wilson Davis explaining to Sgt. Clark the method of attack. Major Davis stated that "the dogs are taught to go for the arm rather than the throat". (Photo courtesy of Mrs. F. G. Clark) |
| This was the first day that the school was started. Photo taken Tuesday, February 18th, 1958 and was shown in the Richmond Times Dispatch, a local newspaper. The k9 officers had no official training obstacles to train with at this time so they improvised and used what was available to them. A Park Bench was a good tool to be used as a hurdle. As per the article, the dogs first underwent basic commands such as sit, stay, heel and come on command. (Article courtesy of the Richmond Times Dispatch dated Tuesday, February 18, 1958) |
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This was the first school conducted by the newly formed Richmond Police K9 Corp. From Left to right are, Ptlm. Doug Nuckols, Ptlm. E. F. Jackson, Ptlm. H. E. Creasy and the officer in charge, Sgt. F. G. Clark. Photo taken in the spring of 1958. The first training site was located in the Bryan Park area. The park is located in the Northern part of Richmond near the Henrico County line. |
| Seen here on the horizontal beam are the 1st four police canines the Richmond Police Department trained. They are "Chief", "Sergeant", "Major" and "Baron". Photo taken in Bryan Park, Richmond Virginia 1958. |
| The obstacle course built to train the police k9's in Bryan Park. |
 | Another view of the first training area in Bryan Park. Note the height of the a large a-frame obstacle in the back. |
 | The first training site located in the area of Bryan Park. |
 | The Window Jump, one of many training obstacles built on the first training site in Bryan Park. |
 | One of the police dogs in training showing the ease of clearing The Broad Jump. Bryan Park Training area. |
 | They make it look so easy. German Shepherd getting some air over the broad jump. Bryan Park area. |
 | Sgt. F. G. Clark (training supervisor) sends his police k9 "Chief" on Officer Doug Nuckols, wearing the bite suit. Bryan Park area, April1958. |
 | Bob Richmond (standing near tree) along with Ptlm. Jackson encourages k9 "Major" over the 10 ft. jump. Bryan Park 1958 |
 | Two of Richmond's Finest, pose on top of one of the a-frame obstacle at the training site. 1958. |
 | Ptlm. Doug Nuckols and unknown k9 handler, assist their k9 partners in overcoming the a-frame obstacle. Bryan Park 1958. |
 | Captain Fred Wright of the Richmond Bureau of Police and Bob Richmond, a local dog enthusiast who assisted in some of the dog training, watch as one of the k9's is put through it's paces, Bryan Park 1958. |
 | This is the second k9 school that was run in the newly developed K9 Corps. From left to right are Ptlm. Gordon Morrow, Ptlm. Bill Stacy, Ptlm. Sam Chandler, Sgt. F. G. Clark (trainer), and Ptlm. "Pop" Bowles. Their training was also conducted in the Bryan Park training facility. 1959 |
 | The newly developed k9 corps for Richmond was not only dedicated to training it's own but also for other outside agencies as well. Here we see Ptlm. Doug Nuckols (on the beam) assisting in the training of Officer John W. Martin, Jr. of the Danville Police Dept. and his police k9. Bryan Park, November 11, 1959 |
 | Sgt. Floyd G. Clark demonstrates to Captain J. M. Wright, acting Police Chief, some of the training techniques that the police k9's undergo. |
 | This was the first night, after graduating from the school that the officers and their canines worked the street. From left to right are "Sgt. F. G. Clark" and K9 "Fritz", "Ptlm. E. F. Jackson" and K9 "Major", "Ptlm. D. L. Nuckols" and K9 "Captain", "Ptlm. H. E. Creasy" and K9 "Sergeant" (Ptlm. Creasy took the place of Ptlm. Crosswhite shortly after the new school first started). (Unknown location) 1958. |
 | Another school graduates from training in Bryan Park. From left to right are Ptlm. Seay "Clarence" Camden, Ptlm. Roger Franky, Ptlm. Charles Elliot, Ptlm. Steve Casky, Ptlm. Sam Chandler, Ptlm. Jerry Fisher, Ptlm. Paul Weeks and Ptlm. Gordon Morrow. Bryan Park 1960. |
 | During many of the training phases in Bryan Park, Sgt. Clark took advantage of the many man-made obstacles in the Park. Seen her is a k9 school exposing the dogs to a different type of terrain and obstacles. The culvert made an interesting challenge to the dog and the handler allowing both to work together to overcome the terrain. Socialization is a very important part of dog training and allows the trainer to fix the problem before the team works the street. (Photo courtesy of Mrs. F. G. Clark) |
 | The first training site as it appeared before the actual construction began. The officers themselves constructed all of the obstacles, jumps, hurdles, etc.. Photo taken winter of 1965. |
 | This photo shows one of the buildings located on the grounds which was given to the Richmond Police K9 Unit in 1965. The grounds were originally used as a canning facility for the Richmond City Jail. The prisoners worked here canning produce for the city jail. |
 | This photo shows the other building's located on the cannery grounds given to the Richmond Police K9 Corps for it's training facility. |
 | After the donation of the old cannery to the k9 corps, work began immediately to start the construction of all the jumps and training obstacles. Here most of the obstacles are seen completed but the work never ended. Photo taken 1965. |
 | Seen here are the officers and their k9's performing training exercises in the compound after most of the training obstacles have been completed. 1965 |
 | Here seen is the K9 vehicle that was used to transport the K9 Officer's and dogs to the areas of Patrol. One of the areas that was patrolled was in the Fan district area of Richmond. The photo seen here was at the intersection of Harrison St. and West Ave. Early 1960. |
 | This photo originally appeared in the Richmond Times Dispatch, a local area newspaper, with a caption that read "Fritz the dog was put through his athletic paces by his master, Patrolman Robert A. Lanford of the Richmond Police Bureau at City Stadium last night. The action was part of the National Police Dog Trials, in which police dogs in local departments are tested to determine if they meet national standards. Fritz tries his skill at the broad jump and high jump". The photo below shows K9 Fritz at the same dog trials challenging the high jump. The article was obtained from the Richmond Times Dispatch, Media General Newspaper. Dated August 23, 1974 |
 | No...this is not a chin up but K9 Fritz during the National Police Dog trials held at the Richmond City Stadium going over the high jump. Photo originally appeared in the Richmond Times Dispatch in the article "Fritz On Trial". The article was obtained from the Richmond Times Dispatch, Media General Newspaper, dated August 23, 1974 |
 | Wanting his handler beside him, K9 "Kriss" stands in the graduation line with out his handler. The Look on his face probably says it all. Holding his diploma in his mouth "Kriss" looks to his handler who is actually sitting on the side. His handler is Ptlm. A. T. "Art" Carroll. Officer Carroll had back problem and could not stand in line with his K9 at graduation. Sgt Earl Berry, the sgt. in charge at this time, stands behind "Kriss". |
| Sgt. Earl Berry is shown with his K9 "Lance". Sgt Berry took over as officer in charge of the K9 unit in the late 60's. Sgt berry was very enthusiastic about his officers and their participation in k9 competition. Photo taken January 22, 1969 |
| This photo was taken in front of the k9 unit prior to going to a k9 competition in Nashville, Tennessee. Sgt Berry stated, "prior to arriving in Nashville, the sponsors of the competition wanted some serious photos of the k9 unit prior to their arrival. They were displaying the photos at the registration area. Done as joke they sent the photo any way and when they arrived the sponsors had posted this photo along with all the other competitors. It was very well received. Thanks to Sgt. Earl Berry, for the photo and the information. Sgt. Berry passed away in the late 1990's.
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| Shown here are some of the k9 officers and k9's after winning some awards at a k9 competition in Cincinnati, Ohio, 1972/73. Pictured from left to right are, Ptlm. Dean Martin, Ptlm. Clarence Camden, Ptlm. Bobby Williams, Ptlm. Captain F. G. Clark (credited with starting the first k9 unit), Ptlm. L. Ross, Ptlm. Paul Holly, Sgt. Earl Berry (at time of photo, officer in charge of k9 unit), Ptlm. Paul Ricketts. |
 | Shown from left to right are, Ptlm. Oscar Martin (also credited for training the first narcotic k9)Ptlm. Clarence Camden (trainer), Sgt. Earl Berry (officer in charge of k9 unit). |
 | Here seen is K9 "Fritz" scratching on a file cabinet where Ptlm. Martin had hidden marijuana. Ptlm. Oscar Martin was credited with training the first narcotic detector k9 for the Richmond Police Dept. K9 "Fritz" was trained to detect marijuana in luggage, furniture, or on a person. Per an article from the Richmond Times Dispatch, information was obtained from Miami, Florida, where drug dogs were being used to search luggage. With this information Ptlm. Martin began his training with marijuana that he obtained from the Vice Squad. Ptlm. Martin would rub the marijuana on a stick or a ball and let "Fritz" play with them. It took about a week Ptlm. Martin stated the dog was able to associate the scent of the marijuana with items and to retrieve them or find them in hidden places. Reference to an article, Times Dispatch dated March 3, 1969. |
 | Ptlm. Oscar Martin and K9 Fritz demonstrate to the academy class how the k9 searches for the hidden narcotics, which were placed in the trunk of the car. The photo was taken in the basement of the Mosque where that training academy used to be held. |
 | Sgt. Clark was on patrol with a news crew and decided to conduct a training exercise. The idea was to use one of the news reporters riding with Sgt. Clark and hide in a warehouse, then Sgt. Clark would let "Fritz" find him. Prior to conducting the exercise, Sgt. Clark checked the area before using the dog. To his surprise as well as the news crew, K9 "Fritz" found a man hiding inside the building. Here seen his Sgt. Clark and K9 "Fritz" arresting the suspect. Original photo appeared in the Richmond News Leader dated, Saturday, November 14, 1959 (Photo courtesy of Mrs. F. G. Clark) |
 | Seen here is several members of the K9 Corp. preparing to conduct a search in a wooded area. The search was for a juvenile that broke into a building and made off with some merchandise. Sgt. Clark, Ptlm. Nuckols, Ptlm. Jackson are on scene preparing to search the area. (Photo courtesy of Mrs. F. G. Clark). |
 | For several years the K9 Corp was a major attraction during Police Week. Several exhibits were placed through out the City Arena for the public to admire. One of the most favorite parts of the exhibition was the k9 demonstration. Here two of the police k9's tackle the high jump. |
 | Sgt Clark and two patrolman stop along the city street in conversation. (Photo courtesy of Mrs. F. G. Clark) |
 | Johnnie Kirkland and his K9 "Charger", patrolling the streets of Richmond.(Photo courtesy of the Richmond News Leader dated August 20, 1977) |
 | "Rocky's Career Ends" were the headlines in the Times Dispatch News Paper dated January 30, 1969. "Rocky" was nationally recognized for the stainless steel canine teeth that he was outfitted with after he had worn down his regular teeth. It was also stated that City Manager Alan F. Kiepper considered providing dog food for "Rock" in retirement years because of his dedicated service to the Richmond Bureau of Police. "Rocky" was the oldest city police dog at 11 years of age and seated with him are his previous handlers. On the left is Ptlm. A. L. Ross and Detective Steve Csaky. (Photo courtesy of the Times Dispatch, General Media dated January, 1969) |
 | The Richmond Police K9 Corps lead the parade for the Richmond S.P.C.A.. The parade was in observance for the annual Be Kind To Animals Week. Original article appeared in the Richmond News Leader dated May 3, 1965.(Photo courtesy of the Richmond News Leader, General Media) |
 | "Homer" a Richmond Police K9, presents a check to Mrs. Nancy Thomas for the Christmas Mothers Fund. The members of the police k9 corp. contributed $21.00 to the 1970 fund. The fund was established to buy toys for needy children. Mrs. Thomas was an avid supporter of the Richmond Police Dept. Shown in the photo from left to right are Ptlm. Clarence E. Camden, Ptlm. Dean Martin and Mrs. Thomas. The original article appeared in the Richmond News Leader, a local newspaper, dated December 2, 1970. (Photo courtesy of the Richmond News Leader, General Media) |
 | Ptlm. R. R. Smith and his K9 partner "Major", check the alley for any kind of trouble on a rainy night.(Photo courtesy of General Media dated November 1959) |
 | Officer Joe Jackson and his K9 partner "Bear", take a break on a city bench at 11th and Clay St. Original article appeared in the Richmond Times Dispatch dated May 11, 1979.(Photo courtesy of the Richmond Times Dispatch dated May 1st, 1979) |
 | City manager Alan F. Kiepper (kneeling) congratulated k9 "Fritz" for his "top all around dog" trophy in the National K9 Association trails that were held in Richmond, Virginia. Also in the photo from left to right are unknown Ptlm., Ptlm. P. E. Richards, Col. Frank S. Duling, Ptlm. Clarence Camden and Ptlm. H. L. Bunch who's k9 took individual trophies for agility and search work.(photo courtesy Times Dispatch dated October 25, 1969) |
 | The Richmond Police K9 Corps was responsible for assisting other agencies in their efforts to start a k9 program. Here seen is Officer John W. Martin, Jr. of the Danville Police Dept. and K9 "Rocky". The motorcycle was adapted to accommodate the k9 by making a platform on the back where the dog could ride. Original article appeared in the "Register" a local newspaper in Danville, Va. dated 1959.(Photo courtesy of Mrs. F. G. Clark) |
 | Chief McCain of the Danville Police Dept. is shown accepting a dog from a young man, which will be trained to work in the Danville K9 Corps. The other officer is Officer John W. Martin, Jr. and K9 "Rocky". There was one other k9 officer at this time and his name was Officer Harry Ceely and his k9 partner "Apollo. Photo dated May 26, 1961 (Photo courtesy of Mrs. F. G. Clark) |
