Swaney and Corporal Scott Searcy

Town of Davidson announcement

The Davidson Police Department is sad to report that Swaney, the department’s canine for 11 years, has died. K9 Swaney was recruited in winter 1998 and was named in honor of Davidson Police Officer Mark Swaney, who died in the line of duty on Dec. 25, 1997.

K9 Swaney partnered with Police Corporal Scott Searcy, who has been a Davidson police officer since 1996. When not working, K9 Swaney lived with Corporal Searcy. They were partners until 2007, when after almost nine years of public service, Swaney retired from active duty.

He continued with public appearances and demonstrations, especially in Davidson schools, where he was always loved and hugged by the children. K9 Swaney was a “generalist” police dog, able to do narcotics detection, searches and aggression work.

K9 Swaney was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. “He lived his life valiantly, and exemplified the phrase, ‘When I was called, I gave my all,'” Chief Jeanne Miller said in a press release Saturday. “He will be missed.”

Details of a public recognition of K9 Swaney will be forthcoming.