VBSO K9 Gaston retires

On Sept, 5, 2024, K9 Gaston, the Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office’s explosive-detection deputy, retired with a final walkout - and lots of pats and K9 kisses - at the Virginia Beach Correctional Center.
Gaston, an 8-year-old German shepherd, joined the VBSO in 2019 thanks to a generous donation from an anonymous donor. He has been an invaluable asset, completing approximately 1,635 operational searches. His work has included searches at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center, Virginia Beach Convention Center, Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater, Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, Norfolk International Airport, Old Dominion University and many other locations.
K9 Gaston has also collaborated with the Virginia Beach Police Department, Portsmouth Police Department, Old Dominion University Police Department and U.S. Department of Homeland Security, demonstrating his dedication and skill.