It is with a very heavy heart that we share that retired K-9 Jimbo crossed over the rainbow bridge on October 9, 2024.
After a courageous battle with cancer and other health issues over the past few years, K-9 Jimbo has finally found peace.
K-9 Jimbo served the UMD community from 2012 – 2021, and once retired he spent his days with Lt. Suthard and his family.
We love you and miss you dearly Jimbo. You will always be the bestest good boy, ever. Thank you for all that you did for the UMD community and beyond.
K-9 Jimbo was a Black Labrador who was born on January 6, 2010 and was bred to be a working dog. The University of Maryland Police Department acquired Jimbo in 2012 from K2 Solutions, Inc. in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab (APL). Jimbo was one of four dogs that UMPD acquired and was quickly trained to be a Person Borne Explosives Detection Dog. Jimbo was one of the first PBEDDs to be trained at K2 Solutions, and one of the first to work for a campus police department. This high level of training allowed Jimbo and his four-legged partners to detect explosive dangers in a tradition sense, but also explosives that could be worn or carried by a person to help better protect the never-ending threat of terrorism to the world. Jimbo was assigned to his handler, now Lt. Suthard.
Jimbo maintained certifications through International Police Work Dog Association (IPWDA), Maryland State Police, and the United States Pentagon Police Department. Jimbo worked many hours of assessments throughout the years conducting studies to help both DHS and JHU APL determine some of the best methods to help keep our country safe. Jimbo also completed the ATF National Odor Recognition Test on multiple occasions, which tests the dog’s ability to recognize the odor of various explosives and threats.
Jimbo worked various high-level events to include help keeping former President Obama safe on two occasions. He also protected other VIPS to include the Dali Lama, and other high ranking political officials. Throughout his career Jimbo performed explosives detection sweeps for other universities, Merriweather Post Pavilion, BWI Airport, Royal Farms Arena, and many other places around the state of Maryland.
Some of his biggest accomplishments were protecting the fans during 9 seasons of University of Maryland Football and Basketball games. In addition to working special events, Jimbo patrolled the University of Maryland campus daily working to keep the faculty, staff, and students safe. In December 2021, Jimbo retired from UMPD and enjoyed the remainder of his life with Lt. Suthard and his family at their residence.
Lt. Suthard and Jimbo worked diligently to excel at their job and enjoyed spending everyday together. They were partners and best friends. Jimbo loved to work and was often looked at as one of the funniest dogs in the unit for his “weird” personality. When not working, Jimbo loved to go on walks, play fetch, and swim in the warmer months. He was a strong, fast paced dog at work, but gentle and calm at home.
Jimbo’s 9.5 years of service to keeping the University of Maryland community safe will never be forgotten. He is the third K-9 to pass away for the University of Maryland Police Department.
We thank him for his service and our thoughts are with Lt. Suthard and his family during this time.
After a courageous battle with cancer and other health issues over the past few years, K-9 Jimbo has finally found peace.
K-9 Jimbo served the UMD community from 2012 – 2021, and once retired he spent his days with Lt. Suthard and his family.
We love you and miss you dearly Jimbo. You will always be the bestest good boy, ever. Thank you for all that you did for the UMD community and beyond.
K-9 Jimbo was a Black Labrador who was born on January 6, 2010 and was bred to be a working dog. The University of Maryland Police Department acquired Jimbo in 2012 from K2 Solutions, Inc. in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab (APL). Jimbo was one of four dogs that UMPD acquired and was quickly trained to be a Person Borne Explosives Detection Dog. Jimbo was one of the first PBEDDs to be trained at K2 Solutions, and one of the first to work for a campus police department. This high level of training allowed Jimbo and his four-legged partners to detect explosive dangers in a tradition sense, but also explosives that could be worn or carried by a person to help better protect the never-ending threat of terrorism to the world. Jimbo was assigned to his handler, now Lt. Suthard.
Jimbo maintained certifications through International Police Work Dog Association (IPWDA), Maryland State Police, and the United States Pentagon Police Department. Jimbo worked many hours of assessments throughout the years conducting studies to help both DHS and JHU APL determine some of the best methods to help keep our country safe. Jimbo also completed the ATF National Odor Recognition Test on multiple occasions, which tests the dog’s ability to recognize the odor of various explosives and threats.
Jimbo worked various high-level events to include help keeping former President Obama safe on two occasions. He also protected other VIPS to include the Dali Lama, and other high ranking political officials. Throughout his career Jimbo performed explosives detection sweeps for other universities, Merriweather Post Pavilion, BWI Airport, Royal Farms Arena, and many other places around the state of Maryland.
Some of his biggest accomplishments were protecting the fans during 9 seasons of University of Maryland Football and Basketball games. In addition to working special events, Jimbo patrolled the University of Maryland campus daily working to keep the faculty, staff, and students safe. In December 2021, Jimbo retired from UMPD and enjoyed the remainder of his life with Lt. Suthard and his family at their residence.
Lt. Suthard and Jimbo worked diligently to excel at their job and enjoyed spending everyday together. They were partners and best friends. Jimbo loved to work and was often looked at as one of the funniest dogs in the unit for his “weird” personality. When not working, Jimbo loved to go on walks, play fetch, and swim in the warmer months. He was a strong, fast paced dog at work, but gentle and calm at home.
Jimbo’s 9.5 years of service to keeping the University of Maryland community safe will never be forgotten. He is the third K-9 to pass away for the University of Maryland Police Department.
We thank him for his service and our thoughts are with Lt. Suthard and his family during this time.