Titus, retired Sequim Police Department Narcotics Detection Canine, passed away Monday

Titus, who was easily recognizable by his large size, puppy face and floppy ear, served the Sequim Police Department with his partner, K-9 Officer Mike Hill, from 2005 through 2008 when he was retired due to health reasons.

Titus, who was easily recognizable by his large size, puppy face and floppy ear, served the Sequim Police Department with his partner, K-9 officer Mike Hill, from 2005 through 2008 when he was retired due to health reasons. Titus continued to live with Officer Hill after his retirement.  Titus passed away Monday due to complications from a degenerative muscle disease and immune system difficulties.

Starting off as a rescue dog from a King County animal shelter, Titus showed a keen sense of smell and endless amount of drive, well suited for detection work.  He was sent to the Department of Corrections Narcotics Canine Program in 2004 at the age of 2.

Titus joined the Sequim Police Department in January of 2005 after completing the 240 hour Narcotics Canine Academy where he was paired with Officer Hill.  The two graduated at the top of their class. The K-9 team was certified by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission and accredited by the Washington State Police Canine Association.  

The K-9 team made an immediate impact once back from training, finding methamphetamine and a stolen handgun in a vehicle their first day back on the street.

In his time with the Sequim Police Department Titus conducted well over 100 searches resulting in the arrests of nearly 100 suspects and took over $135,000.00 worth of narcotics destined for sale and use in the community off the streets.  In addition the team has been responsible for seizing thousands of dollars, numerous vehicles and property from suspects in narcotics cases. These assets go through a legal process and once it is determined they were the proceeds of, or involved in, the manufacture or distribution of illegal narcotics these proceeds are used by the Sequim Police Department to further our fight against drug use and trafficking.

In 2008, while assisting federal agencies conducting a drug trafficking investigation, Titus “sniffed out” $174,000.00 in currency used in a drug related transaction, one of the largest cash finds in county history.

The K-9 team also assisted other agencies including the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, US Forest Service, Port Angeles Police Department US Coast Guard, US Customs, ICE, Forks Police Department, Department of Corrections and the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Task Force.

Titus was the Sequim Police Department’s second police K-9, joining the force after Narcotics Detection K-9 “Huey” retired in 2005.

The Sequim Police Department’s canine program is now in its 9th year. K-9 “Chase” joined the force in 2008 and is teamed with Officer Hill.

The Sequim Police Department K-9 program is funded through donations.  Those donations cover the costs of purchasing all of our police canines and their required training.

The Sequim Police Department would like to thank the numerous citizens, businesses and organizations that have made donations to the K-9 Program. These donations are responsible for the equipping, supporting and providing food and health care for Sequim’s Police K-9’s.

Donations are accepted on a continual basis for this valuable law enforcement program, the donations are tax deductible; please contact either the Sequim Police Department at 609 W. Washington St. # 16 Sequim WA, or Sequim City Hall at 152 W. Cedar St. Sequim WA.  Donations should be made out to the “Sequim Police Department K-9 Program”, 100% of all donations are tax deductible.