(L-R) Seeka and Edo with Officer Daniel Velasquez (Photos – PPD)
The Pasadena Police Department is marking a major transition in its K‑9 program, celebrating the retirement of K‑9 Edo after more than seven years of distinguished service and introducing K‑9 Seeka, the department’s newest tracking and trailing dog now in training.
By News Desk
Edo Retires After a Decorated Career
K‑9 Edo officially retired on May 4, 2026, concluding a career that began after his transition from an Army Special Forces assignment. He joined the Pasadena Police Department in 2019, partnering with Officer Daniel Velasquez, and quickly became one of the agency’s most trusted service dogs.
Edo’s record reflects both exceptional skill and meaningful community impact:
- 47 community events — strengthening relationships between officers and residents
- 338 deployments — supporting patrol and investigative operations
- 15 suspect give‑ups
- 4 suspect apprehensions
- Over $300,000 in seized currency
Chief Gene Harris praised Edo’s service, noting that his contributions “extend far beyond statistics,” and commended his courage, professionalism, and unwavering dedication.
Meet Seeka: The Department’s Newest K‑9
As Edo begins his well‑earned retirement, the department welcomes K‑9 Seeka, a one‑and‑a‑half‑year‑old black Labrador Retriever whose name reflects meanings such as “to search,” “discover,” and “seek.”
Seeka has begun training with Officer Velasquez and is preparing to become a California‑certified tracking and trailing dog. Once certified, she will assist in locating:
- Critical missing adults
- Missing children
- Suspects fleeing crime scenes
Her specialized training will expand the department’s ability to respond quickly to urgent incidents and help bring vulnerable individuals safely home.
Chief Harris emphasized Seeka’s future importance, noting that her work “will play a vital role in helping us locate missing persons, support investigations, and provide another valuable resource for our officers and the community.”
Upcoming Department Training
In July, the Pasadena Police Department will conduct agency‑wide training focused on:
- Human odor detection
- Best practices for tracking and trailing deployments
Updated policies related to these operations are also expected.
A New Chapter for Pasadena’s K‑9 Program
The department expressed deep appreciation for Edo’s years of faithful service and looks ahead with optimism as Seeka begins her journey.
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