Crime & Safety

Diagnosed with Cancer, Amazing K-9 'Gracie' Keeps Up Police Work

Alexandria police dog, diagnosed in November, given 2-3 months to live.

In November, Gracie, a K-9 with the Alexandria Police Department, was diagnosed with kidney cancer. She was given just two to three months to live, but five months later, Gracie is defying the odds. Her energy is up and she is still able to work, according to the Alexandria Police Department.

Gracie has spent the past five years protecting the City of Alexandria and its residents as the Alexandria Police Department’s first female canine.

Gracie and her handler, K-9 Officer Steve Escobar, have worked and trained together since Escobar was transferred to the K-9 Unit in 2009. The pair graduated from Basic K-9 School in January 2010.

The two worked the midnight shift for three years before being moved to the day shift. Gracie became certified as a bomb dog. She and Escobar competed, along with other members of the K-9 Unit, in the United States Police Canine Association’s Region 3 Dog Trials. In 2012, she was the top novice dog in apprehension and obedience. 

Though she continues to do well, the Police Department and Escobar are aware that it is all really a matter of time and they are preparing for what happens next. Escobar is training a new canine to take over when Gracie can no longer work. Until that time, Gracie appears to be enjoying every minute of her day job.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.