Ocean City Police Department Mourns the Loss of Beloved K-9 Smoke
OCEAN CITY, MD (June 6, 2025): It is with heavy hearts that the Ocean City Police Department announces the passing of retired K-9 Smoke, who died peacefully on Thursday, June 5, 2025, surrounded by his handler, PFC Erika Rhode, along with her family and close friends.
K-9 Smoke served the Ocean City community with honor, loyalty, and distinction for seven years before retiring at the end of April. A dual-purpose patrol and narcotics detection Belgian Malinois, Smoke was not only a skilled working dog but also a cherished member of the department family.
“Smoke was more than a K-9. He was a symbol of dedication, courage, and the special bond between handler and dog,” said Chief Raymond Austin. “Throughout his career, Smoke proved time and again that he was an exceptional asset to public safety. Our community embraced him, our officers relied on him, and he will be deeply missed.”
Originally born and trained in the Netherlands, K-9 Smoke joined the Ocean City Police Department in March 2018 after completing an intensive six-week handler course at Shallow Creek Kennels in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania. From the outset, he and PFC Rhode demonstrated a remarkable partnership that quickly became a model for the department’s K-9 Unit.
During his career, K-9 Smoke was deployed more than 370 times, including:
- 278 vehicle scans
- 49 building searches
- 21 tactical deployments
- 27 arrests
- 8 weapons seizures
- $5,390 in seized U.S. currency
His presence around the department matched Smoke’s professionalism in the field. He was known for attending roll calls, patrolling the halls, and checking the kitchen for treats, always a steady and familiar presence for those who worked with him.
The department and the Ocean City community will remember K-9 Smoke’s life and service with gratitude and admiration. Smoke’s legacy of bravery and service lives on.
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