photo by: Lawrence Police Department

Patrol Service Dog Cheeseburger, who works for the Lawrence Police Department, is retiring Thursday, June 8, 2023, after eight years with the department.

After eight years of service, Patrol Service Dog C.B., affectionately known as Cheeseburger, is retiring from the Lawrence Police Department, and the public is invited to a ceremony today in his honor.

Cheeseburger is a 10-year-old shepherd from the Netherlands who came to Lawrence in 2015 when LPD debuted its K-9 unit.

LPD’s patrol service dogs “are invaluable members of the department used to de-escalate dangerous situations and with dual-purpose training in criminal apprehension, handler protection, and narcotics detection,” LPD said in a news release Thursday announcing Cheeseburger’s retirement.

Cheeseburger, whose handler is Corporal Matt Weidl, has “honorably served his own community as well as assisting several partner agencies,” the release said, including Topeka; Shawnee County; Kansas City, Kansas; the Kansas Highway Patrol and numerous others agencies in the state.

Cheeseburger will remain in the LPD family by spending his retirement with Patrol Sgt. Ron Ivener and his wife, their four children and their dog, Monty.

The release noted that Cheeseburger will be “well positioned to get plenty of treats, toys, and restful trots in his well-earned golden years.”

Cheeseburger’s retirement ceremony will be at 3 p.m. today in the front lobby of LPD headquarters, 5100 Overland Drive.

LPD’s Patrol Service Dog Unit currently has two other active dogs: PSD Mack, handled by Corporal Kevin Henderson, and PSD Shadow, handled by Officer Josh Doncouse. Weidl’s new patrol service dog, who just completed training and certification, will be introduced to the Lawrence community soon.