In the News
Sgt. Natalie Bauer and K9 Cirrus
Woodbury Police K9 Cirrus Remembered
By BETH-ANN BLOOM, WOODBURY NEWS NET
April 18, 2025
WOODBURY, MN (WNN) – Woodbury Police shared news that K9 Cirrus passed away after a long illness. The Belgian Malinois partnered with handler Sgt. Natalie Bauer on patrol with specialties in apprehension and narcotics.
K9 Cirrus came to the Woodbury Police Department as an eight-week-old puppy and did his “cadet” training with members of the force until he was old enough to begin formal canine schooling with Bauer. His path was atypical in that most patrol dogs are born in Europe and receive their early socialization and training before immigrating to the U.S. Allowing Cirrus to grow up in Woodbury was not only more economical but also allowed him to become familiar with Minnesota customs and scents.
The Public Safety staff offered this tribute: “K9 Cirrus helped ensure his handlers and all his partners went home safely after each shift. His nose, which he loved to use, allowed him the ability to serve our community in ways human officers can’t. His hunger for training and drive for adventure was just as deep his last week as it was his first week. His favorite toy was his tug and he loved runs and hikes with Sergeant Bauer, K9 brother Bosco (retired from the police department) and his family.”
The Woodbury Police K9 Fund is a non-profit that provides support and funding for the training of the dogs and their handlers as well as the purchase of special equipment. The fund was started by Woodbury City Council Member Donna Stafford in memory of her husband Bruce, who served the city as a firefighter and paramedic for 35 years. Contributions in K9 Cirrus’ honor can be made here.
Ofc. Bob Boleen & Echo, Donna Stafford, Ofc. Emily Wessels & Kane
Woodbury woman is driving force behind city’s k9 program
By MARY DIVINE, PIONEER PRESS
November 19, 2023 at 5:45 a.m.
When her husband died of a heart attack in 2014, Donna Smith Stafford knew she wanted to donate money in his memory to help the Woodbury Public Safety Department.
Bruce Stafford served as a firefighter in Woodbury for 22 years, retiring as fire chief. He also was a paramedic for 35 years with HealthEast and served in the Minnesota National Guard.
“When he passed away, Woodbury Public Safety was amazing to me,” Stafford said. “I mean, they cut my grass for two years. They parked a squad outside my house during the visitation and funeral to make sure my home was safe. It was always, ‘What do you need?’ They were so loving and caring to me. It’s, like, how do you say thank you?”
The idea came to Stafford one day as she was sitting in her office and looking out the window.
“I never know what people believe in, but it literally came to me from above,” she said. “I felt a light tap on my shoulder, and then I heard Bruce saying, ‘Dog.’”
Detective Adam Sack & K-9 Otis
Meet otis, the woodbury police departments k-9 partner for calm in crisis
By MATT MCKINNEY, STAR TRIBUNE
November 18, 2023 - 4:49 PM
Everyone in the Woodbury Police Department knows that if you give this one officer a high five, he's likely to return it — but what he really wants is a Milk-Bone.
Any flavor.
Trained to sit with people in crisis, Otis the therapy dog reports for duty with Woodbury police detective Adam Sack. The English golden retriever rides in Sack's unmarked squad car, wears a blue vest, and has gone out on numerous calls since he joined the department last year.
"It really lightens the situation when we take him out," said Sack.
Sack often partners with Angie Shackleton, a Washington County social worker embedded with the Woodbury Police Department, and along with Otis they look for ways to help people struggling with mental illness, homelessness or a crisis in their lives.