Introduction

Sgt. Bubba was the Cedar Park Police Department's first narcotic K-9. He was black Labrador Retriever and was certified by the Texas K-9 Police Association in the detection of Cocaine, Heroin, Methamphetamine, and Marihuana. Sgt. Bubba was purchased by the City of Cedar Park in June of 1988 for $4,000 from Joe Pollock, who is now Sheriff of Burnet County, Texas. Sgt. Bubba faithfully served until June 1, 2000 when he lost his fight with cancer.

His first handler was then Sgt. Butch Dempsey who worked closely with the area's narcotics task force and DEA . This kept him busy not only answering the needs of the local department but going to call outs from other agencies. In 1994 Sgt. Dempsey was promoted to Lieutenant and took an administrative role in the department. (He has since been promoted to Asst. Chief) Due to more of his time being directed in the office Lt. Dempsey relinquished his handler duties.

My name is Carl Rackley and I am a DetectiveSergeant with the Cedar Park Police Department. I became Sgt. Bubba's handler and trainer in 1994. Sgt. Bubba was my third K-9, the first was a white German Shepherd which would not socialize thus forcing his retirement. The second was a red Doberman Pinscher which certified in On and Off Lead Obedience and was ready to take his patrol test when the department decided against a Patrol K-9. A short time later I was offered the opportunity to become Sgt. Bubba's handler. I accepted the challenge and began to work with him and introduce him to my family. Sgt. Bubba took to me and my family immediately. Since then Sgt. Bubba not only became my partner but a trusted friend.

Sgt. Bubba was an aggressive alert K-9 meaning that he scratched where ever he smelled illegal drugs that he had trained for. His reward was simply a tennis ball. Sgt. Bubba had a very high ball drive and would search for extended periods of time just for someone to throw the ball for him. Although he searched more vehicles than than anything else Sgt. Bubba had searched and located illegal narcotics in homes, businesses, 18 wheelers, airplanes, boats, hotels, schools, open fields, and correctional facilities.

During his 12 years of service Sgt. Bubba alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics over 100 times resulting in the seizure of contraband, currency, and property valued in excess of one millon dollars.

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