K9 Zoe Retires And K9 Tommy Steps In

Newport Police Department announced June 8th that K-9 Zoe has retired. K-9 Zoe was purchased in August of 2019 from Jefferson Working Dog Project, which is a nonprofit working dog rescue in Oregon. K9 Zoe became Officer Bales full-time partner (at work, and at home). K9 Zoe was imprinted on the odors of heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. In 2023, in an effort to fight back against the Fentanyl epidemic, Zoe was imprinted on the odor of Fentanyl. Officer Bales was promoted to Sergeant in March of 2023, K9 Zoe and Sgt. Bales remained partners.

K9 Zoe and Sgt. Bales participated in regular weekly maintenance training and certified annually through the Oregon Police Canine Association. K9 Zoe was deployed on vehicles, residences, open areas, boats, and even an airplane! She was deployed to assist all agencies within Lincoln County and various agencies from neighboring counties.

K9 Zoe and Sgt. Bales participated in school career day presentations, after school program demonstrations, National Night Out, C.A.S.T For Kids, and many other community events.

Her nose led to a large number of successfully prosecuted drug investigations. During these investigations, officers also seized currency, weapons, firearms, stolen property and located evidence from unrelated violent crime cases. K9 Zoe was an important tool for Officers to fight against the manufacture and delivery of narcotics within our area.

K9 Zoe has officially retired; she continues to live happily and healthily with Sgt. Bales and his family. K9 Tommy joined the Newport Police Department in February of 2026 after previously serving the Benton County Sheriff’s Office for narcotics detection. Tommy is a mixed-breed Springer Spaniel who detects cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine. Tommy is partnered with Officer Eshleman. The team has been certified by the Oregon Police Canine Association since April, 2026.