Paw enforcement: Meet BNSF’s K-9 team

By KENZIE MUCKWAY
Staff Writer 

We have some pawsome coworkers, thanks to our K-9 program that helps BNSF Railway Police special agents ensure the security of our network. The program is rigorous, requiring the special agent and K-9 to train and live together, making them true partners. 

Since 1994, BNSF’s K-9 program has played a critical role in protecting our railroad from theft, trespassers and other criminal activity. After 9/11, the team expanded its focus, and by 2004, BNSF Police had trained nearly all our K-9 members in explosives detection in addition to routine patrol work. 

Today, the K-9 teams search rail cars and facilities, locate train burglars and trespassers, and partner with local, state and federal agencies during investigations. Most recently, all K-9 teams completed their spring detection recertification and training, which included a patrol search in the Topeka, Kansas, yard.  

This summer, the K-9 teams are looking forward to providing security support for the World Cup events in Kansas City, Missouri, and Seattle. 

It’s ruff work, but they’re always up for the challenge.  

Meet our amazing K-9 team:  

Bonnie
Location: Spokane, Washington
Age: 7
Breed: German Shepherd
Handler: Special Agent Iain Ashley
Fun fact: She overcame a significant front-leg condition as a puppy through weeks of rehab and comes from a proud BNSF K-9 family, with her brother Reddick and her mother, retired K-9 Valet. 

Burli
Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Age: 8
Breed: German Shepherd
Handler: Special Agent Garry Langford
Fun fact: Burli easily shifts from focused working dog to relaxed family dog when off duty. 

Corfu
Location: Barstow/Needles, California
Age: 6
Breed: Belgian Malinois
Handler: Special Agent James Hoffman
Fun fact: Corfu was named after his original trainer from the Greek island of Corfu. 

Ferry
Location: Amarillo, Texas
Age: 2
Breed: Dutch Malinois
Handler: Special Agent Scott Morgan
Fun fact: Ferry was born in Holland and is the most recent K-9 to join BNSF, currently still in training.

Maestro 
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Age: 9.5
Breed: Belgian Malinois
Handler: Special Agent Kyle Cochran
Fun fact: Maestro enjoys training and being rewarded with his tug toy. 

Mavro 
Location: Galesburg, Illinois
Age: 8
Breed: German Shepherd
Handler: Special Agent Keith Hagmeier
Fun fact: Mavro loves diving into piles of leaves whenever he gets the chance. 

Mayhem
Location: Topeka, Kansas
Age: 8.5
Breed: Belgian Malinois/Dutch Shepherd mix
Handler: Special Agent Shawn Flott
Fun fact: Mayhem certainly lives up to his name with boundless energy and a love for fetch with his favorite Kong toy. 

Reddick
Location: Amarillo, Texas
Age: 6
Breed: German Shepherd
Handler: Special Agent Landon Wingate
Fun fact: Reddick comes from a strong law-enforcement lineage: his father served as a sheriff’s office K-9, his mother Valet served BNSF and his sister Bonnie continues to serve. 

Savage
Location: Belen, New Mexico
Age: 7
Breed: German Malinois
Handler: Special Agent George Justice
Fun fact: Savage has supported safety sweeps for major music events, including performances by Snoop Dogg and Slipknot. 

Tsitfi (Tis-Fee)
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Age: 6
Breed: Belgian Malinois
Handler: Special Agent Syd Hershey
Fun fact: Tsitfi loves exploring wide‑open spaces and chasing rabbits—unless a tennis ball is involved, in which case fetch becomes the top priority. 

Zorro
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Age: 4
Breed: German Shepherd
Handler: Special Agent David Stretch
Fun fact: Zorro may be fearless on duty, but at home he’s timid around the miniature dogs he lives with. Despite his size and strength, he often freezes or detours just to avoid his diminutive roommates. 

The high visibility of the K-9 teams is key to keeping our railroad secure, and why it’s so important that these officers, human or otherwise, are thoroughly trained and on-guard. And if you can’t tell, we’re pretty dog-gone proud of our K-9 team!