Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control Honors K9 ROTC’s Retirement

Description: Colorado DFPC honors retiring Fire Investigation K9 ROTC after five years of service and welcomes new Accelerant Detection Canine, Waffle, to the team.

Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control Honors the Retirement of Fire Investigations K9 ROTC and Welcomes New K9 Waffle

LAKEWOOD, COLO. - (October 8, 2025) - Fire and Life Safety (FLS), a section of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC), a division of the Colorado Department of Public Safety (CDPS), is both celebrating a legacy and looking toward the future as it announces the retirement of Fire Investigation K9 ROTC and introduces its newest Accelerant Detection Canine, Waffle.

From 2020 to 2025, K9 ROTC has been more than just an investigative partner—he has been a protector, a detective, and a loyal friend to agencies across Colorado and to his handler, DFPC Fire Investigator Brian Eberle.

“Congratulations to ROTC on his 5 years of dedicated service to the state of Colorado. During his service ROTC’s laser trained nose helped investigate more than 180 fires collecting evidence and holding arsonists accountable, with an accuracy rate of 94.2%, keeping Coloradans and our communities safe. The State of Colorado thanks ROTC for his service to the state and wishes him a restful retirement full of treats, walks in Colorado’s iconic outdoors, long naps in the sun, and countless tummy rubs. ROTC is leaving some big paws to fill, but I’m thrilled to welcome Waffle to the fire investigation team to keep Coloradans and our communities fire safe,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis. 

In August of 2024 ROTC met Governor Polis at the state capitol where the governor highlighted the incredible work K9 Fire investigation dogs like ROTC do to investigate the sources of fires, hold those responsible for fires accountable, and keep Coloradans and our communities safe. Today, in honor of ROTC’s 5 years of service, through an official proclamation, Governor Polis declared October 8, 2025 as ROTC Retirement Day. 

“ROTC has been an invaluable asset not only to the Division but also to every agency he has collaborated with,” said Chris Brunette, Chief of the DFPC Fire and Life Safety Section. “His contributions have led to the successful apprehension of criminals and the recovery of vital evidence, highlighting the exceptional skills that make K9 units so essential to the State of Colorado.”

Related Content:

Colorado DFPC Introduces Waffle, New Fire Investigation K9 Trained by ATF to Detect Accelerants

Follow SECO News on Facebook.
Subscribe to the SECO News YouTube Channel.

Press releases Sponsor