The Observer Newspapers | Herndon K-9 Officer to Select New 'Partner'

July 18, 2008

Herndon K-9 Officer to Select New 'Partner'

The Town of Herndon police place a strong emphasis on community policing and their partnership with the community. In this series, The Observer will profile officers who both live and work in the Herndon community.

By Rebecca Plevin
Observer Staff Writer

Herndon police officer Damien Austin played center field for the Shepherd University baseball team and he said he had a shot at becoming a professional ballplayer. He participated in a couple major league tryouts, but he said he eventually decided to "grow up and get a job." But when asked if he still dreams of playing baseball in the majors, he said with a laugh, "of course I do."

Austin joined the Herndon Police Department after college and began pursuing his other career goal—to be a K-9 officer. He became a K-9 officer about five years after joining the squad and though it is not baseball, he said he is "doing what I want to do."

Austin said he likes working with a dog because, "you have your own partner. There's always somebody with you at all times."

Austin's dog and partner in crime solving, Tommy, retired in March and Austin said he will pick out a new German shepherd within the week. He said he would be looking at untrained, "green dogs" and evaluating them on their search drive, energy and confidence. Once he has selected his new dog, Austin said he and his new partner would attend up to 14 weeks of K-9 school.

As for Tommy, he is at Austin's home and "living the retired life," Austin said. But the police officer said he is not jealous of the dog's leisurely ways. "I don't know if I could sit at home all day," said Austin, who said he is rarely home during the day, since he works the night shift from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Austin may not have made it to the big leagues, but he is now sharing his love for the game with younger players. He has been the coach of his son's Herndon Optimist Club baseball team for the past five years, for both the fall and spring seasons, and he said he loves coaching.

He said baseball teaches kids the value of teamwork, teaches them to socialize with peers and, maybe most importantly, it steers kids on the right path in life.

Austin said he spends his free time with his three children, and he and his family recently took a fun trip to Disney World. His kids, he said, love Tommy the retired K-9. "Tommy's their dog," he said.