07/01/2023 - K-9 Diesel Retires After 8 Years of Service voLIc Tigard Police Department
NEWS RELEASE
TIGARD
OR 13125 SW Hall Boulevard, Tigard, Oregon 97223 • www.tigard-or.gov/police
**EMBARGOED UNTIL JULY 1, 2023**
CONTACT:
Kelsey Anderson, Public Information Officer
Phone: 971-708-2921
Email: Kelsey.Anderson@tigard-or.gov
K-9 DIESEL RETIRES AFTER 8 YEARS OF SERVICE
K-9 Diesel is retiring from the Tigard Police Department after eight incredible years of service.
Diesel has been working with his handler, Officer Mike Powers, since joining the department
in the spring of 2015. At that time, Diesel was a one-year-old German Shepherd and was
purchased thanks to donated funds from the Tigard Breakfast Rotary Club.
Diesel and Officer Powers completed certification through the
Oregon Police Canine Association, which includes 400
training hours spanning 10 weeks. Over the years, Diesel has
been used to sniff out narcotics, track and locate criminal
suspects and find evidentiary articles like clothing or
. • weapons. He can also be used to search for missing or
' endangered people to help bring them home safely.
'Officer Mike Powers with K-9 Diesel.
Sadly, a veterinarian recently determined Diesel has a
neurological disorder that has impacted his physical ability
and agility. Due to this diagnosis, he is no longer able to
fulfill his role as an active police K-9 and his retirement is
effective July 1, 2023. Diesel will be "adopted" by Officer
Powers and his family and will continue to enjoy his golden
Officer Mike Powers with K-9 Diesel.
years at home with them.
Over the last 8 years, Diesel is to thank for 102 captures, 53 assists and locating 103 articles
of evidence. Diesel also assisted in the largest methamphetamine seizure in the history of the
Portland DEA field office when he discovered 100 pounds of methamphetamine in the
floorboards of a car. If there's one thing Officer Powers would like to share about his time
with Diesel, it's this: trust your dog.
From all of us at Tigard Police, thank you for your service Diesel! A video of Diesel with Officer
Powers over the years is available at https://youtu.be/F-nTncZlMls.
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