The Queensland Police Service is deeply saddened to announce the passing of retired Police Dog (PD) Leroy from the Brisbane Dog Squad.
PD Leroy passed away peacefully of old age, with his handler Sergeant Darren Breuer by his side – hand to paw. Their bond was unbreakable, and his loss is a reminder of the hardest part of working with our four-legged policing partners: saying goodbye when their watch ends.
PD Leroy was born on 31 December 2012 and was one of the last Labradors bred through the QPS program. He retired from operational duty in 2021. Leroy leaves behind a remarkable legacy of service and companionship.
Alongside his handler, Sergeant Breuer, Leroy was a trailblazer in the detection dog world. True to the adage that dogs and handlers often mirror one another, Leroy's determination, and tenacity matched Sergeant Breuer's. As Queensland's first cash, firearms and drug detection dog, Leroy uncovered millions in illicit funds and one of the program's most memorable finds-one kilogram of cocaine buried and concealed. Time and again, his persistence outmatched the best efforts of organised crime to hide their proceeds.
But Leroy was more than a crime-fighter. With his gentle nature, he also brought joy to the community and other police, whether patrolling at events or donning the role of "Santa Leroy" to brighten the festive season for children and families.
A fitting tribute comes from Tim Beard's poem The Police Dog, which captures the devotion and sacrifice of dogs like Leroy:
"He seemed to know it was his time, he tried to take away his master's fear
They looked into each other's eyes, and his master cried
And in that lonely room, another hero died."
RIP Leroy.
Our thoughts are with Sergeant Breuer and his family as we honour Leroy's service, his loyalty, and the enduring impact he leaves on the Queensland Police Service and the community he served.
