One of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department’s most productive canine officers died today of natural causes, the department reported on its Facebook page.

Brando was a Czechoslovakian shepherd purchased from Southern Police Canine in the late spring of 2005.

He began his service in June 2005 and retired in September 2009 due to hip dysplasia.

“He was a great dog,” former police chief and current city council member Greg Lawson said before tonight’s council meeting. “He worked for us very well. When he retired we gave him to (his handler) Chris Woodruff. He was an awesome dog.”

Current police Chief Jeff Hinton expressed sympathy at the death of Brando. “We are extremely saddened at the police department with his passing. He did an excellent job for us with his handler.”

Hinton said after his retirement Brando became a family friend to Woodruff and his family. “Our hearts go out to Chris and his family because a pet is considered a family member.”

During his career Brando searched 38 houses or buildings and 151 vehicles for a total of 189 searches.

To his credit Brando helped seize 26.8 pounds of marijuana; 2.6 ounces of cocaine; two and two-tenths pounds of heroin; 700 ecstasy pills and 16 items of paraphernalia.

The total value of narcotics seized in 2009 narcotics values was $119,592.

Brando helped seize $445,256 in currency and performed 50 tracks, 20 of them successful. The dog went on 13 search warrants and 26 demonstrations. He was responsible for 64 arrests.

In June 2008, Brando, along with the other ACE Unit members, was awarded a police commendation for assistance in seizing a kilo of heroin off of Interstate 95.