Marco the Bomb Dog

Fairfax County Police Department
Franconia District Station
6121 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA 22310
703-922-0889. TTY 711. Fax 703-719-6436
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/stations/franconia
Date Released 03/14/12
Contact: Brooke Wright / 703-922-0889
Information Bulletin: Marco the Bomb Dog

Marco

Meet the furry face of safety and security! I’m Marco. I am the only K9 who works at the Franconia District Station. My Dad, PFC Brian Buckholtz, is a police officer on the Franconia Bike Team, and he is also a Bomb Tech. Since I can’t ride a bike, and they don’t have any of those cool shorts that fit me, I was trained by the CIA to sniff for bombs and explosives. My job is fun and I get paid with breakfast and dinner every day! I also get to go home to the family every night and make sure no squirrels play in my yard.

I had to go to school with Dad for 16 weeks to learn how to detect over 14,000 odors used in explosives. Now I have to go back once a year and keep passing my tests. Good thing we review every day so it doesn’t feel like the SAT.

My job is so important that I have done security screenings for President Obama and First Lady, Mrs. Obama, when they have come to visit different schools in the area. I hear they have a pretty good looking dog too, but I don’t believe he is gainfully employed. I have also been able to meet some young people from the iCarly show and the famous chef, Rachel Ray. I did not get to be on TV myself (yet), but I did get some pictures with them!

In my spare time I enjoy fetching tennis and lacrosse balls, a tall bowl of water, and long walks on the beach. I am happy to work here and go home to my family every night. I was going to show you pictures of my dog bed, but Dad says, “You are not a Kardashian, no cameras in the house.” Sorry folks, I tried.

Photo of Marco and iCarly stars Photo of Marco and Rachel Ray