The Madison County Police Department issued the following statement.
The Madison Police Department is saddened to announce the loss of Officer K9 Astra. In November 2024 she was diagnosed with cancer and she lost a valiant battle on April 30, 2025. She was a joy to have as a family member and fellow officer. She was the total package when it came to work ethic, abilities and drive to hunt narcotics. We offer our sincerest condolences to Astra’s handler, Major Robbie Sanders and family.
During her nine-year career, she played a significant role in the seizure of well over 5 million dollars in illegal narcotics and illegal proceeds as an interdiction narcotics K9. During 2018, she was credited with the largest reported heroin seizure of 33 pounds and also the largest reported liquid methamphetamine seizure of 150 pounds.
Astra’s formal training was with USK9. Astra held certifications with the United Police Canine Association. She was recognized as the certification standard in narcotics for Region 26. She also held certifications through the National Narcotics Detector Dog Association. Astra’s most recent seizure was in October 2024 at the Jackson International Airport where she located over 20 pounds of illegal narcotics being smuggled inside two pieces of luggage.
She was a pleasure to observe in training, work and play. “Job Well Done Officer Astra, Badge # 495” - Chief Gene Waldrop
Special Thank You:
Mannsdale Animal Clinic
Urgivet
Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine
MedVet of Mandeville, Louisiana
15 comments:
What an incredible "Watch" Astra! Indeed, well done and many thanks to you and your Handler, Major Robbie Sanders! You will be definitely missed!
I could be wrong, some would say I’m mean-spirited, but I’m certain a German Shepherd has a better head on its shoulders than a good portion of the lower socioeconomic stratum of American society. Good dog!
RIP Astra. You were a good girl. 9 years is far too soon. The average age of death of Golden Retrievers in the 1970s was 17 years old; now it's down to 11. Ask why? The taxpayers, on the hook for very expensive training years, deserve to get more than 5-6 years of work from these amazing dogs.
Okay so why are we celebrating a dog that was trained to respond to the police officer queues to “hit” on command simply to give them probable cause? It was established a long time ago that dogs can’t smell any drugs through vacuum sealed bags sprayed with capsicum.
@9:34, I guess you shot your own dogs when you were young. If you don’t have anything positive to say just stay out of the conversation. When drugs are taken off the street lives are saved and our society gets a little better.
Rest in peace, good girl.
@9:34...we celebrate the bravery and service of the dog (and officer) much more than the 'queues to 'hit' on command'. Judging by the lack of empathy in your post, I imagine you are taking a great deal of similar queues in your daily life. Think about that next time you're driving to your job and doing the bidding of your handlers.
I am completely unaffected by your concern trolling, bootlicker. How many trillions of dollars have been wasted on the “war on drugs” yet we have more drugs and crime than ever before? That dog is a weapon of tyranny used against the people.
9:34 & 11:43 sounds like a Soverign Citizen.
Lemme guess: you got pulled over while “traveling?”
A well spoken and passionate defense attorney posting on here for sure.
that is the most uninformed and illiterate comment I read across all these threads. any fool would realize the war on drugs is a very complex enterprise that includes everything from international cartels to the local dope boys around Jackson to the drug-induced culture inspired by the internet and social media. to say that dog is a weapon of tyranny used against the people is the most asinine statement. go flip your burgers before they burn...and yes, I want fries with that!
Thank you Astra and your handler! You kept many children safe from drugs. Now you can run & play in green pastures!
12:01 for today's win!
astra was not a german shepard, rather a belgian malwa.
RIP Astra. Incredible job.
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