The Centralia Police Department announced the latest additions to its K-9 unit in a Dec. 5 news release, officially welcoming K-9 Hector and Officer Daniel Cox.
K-9 Hector is a 15-month-old Belgian Malinois from the Netherlands, the agency stated, calling Hector an “excellent addition to our department.”
According to the department, Cox and Hector were certified in accordance with Washington Administrative Code and the Washington state Police Canine Association on Dec. 3, 2025, at the Vancouver Police K9 Basic Handler School.
Cox and Hector join Officer Kyle Stockdale and K-9 Havik in the unit, which was created by Chief Ken Payne in 1979.
“Since that time, a total of 13 certified police K-9s have served the community as general service and narcotic police dogs,” the department states on its website.
Make that 14, with the addition of Hector.
The Centralia Police Department’s K-9 program is “funded completely through public donations,” according to the agency, and supported by the Centralia Police K9 Association.
Residents can sponsor the program in a variety of ways, according to the department, such as by purchasing tickets for the K-9 association’s gun raffle before Dec. 12 at 5 p.m.
Supporters can also purchase K-9 hats, hoodies and shirts during “Centralia Police K9 Association night” at the Borst Lights event on Sunday, Dec. 7.
To shop Centralia police K-9 gear or make a donation, visit https://centraliapdk9.itemorder.com/shop.
The Centralia Police Department also accepts donations in its lobby, the agency stated.
