Photo credits: Midland County

What happened: After eight years of dedicated service with the Midland County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Marshal’s Office, Explosive Detection K9 Mia is finally retiring. The Midland County Commissioners Court formally honored 13-year-old Mia on Tuesday, April 7, who served as the first explosive detection canine in the Permian Basin.

The big picture: Mia helped establish the county’s bomb detection program and supported security efforts across a 17-county region. Acquired in 2018, Mia played a foundational role in building the county’s K9 bomb detection unit. She supported numerous high-profile operations, including NCAA Final Four events in San Antonio and presidential security sweeps. Her contributions strengthened regional safety for nearly a decade.

Go deeper: Mia will enjoy retirement at home with her handler, Investigator Kevin Bullard. The Midland County Fire Marshal’s Office will continue the program with Explosive Detection K9 Artu and the newly added fire and arson detection dog Ember.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue caring for her as she enjoys a well-earned retirement,” Bullard said.

What they’re saying: “Mia has been an incredible partner and a true professional throughout her career,” Bullard said. “She helped build this program from the ground up and played a critical role in keeping our communities safe.”

“We’re proud to build on the strong foundation Mia helped establish,” Fire Marshal Justin Bunch said. “With the addition of Artu and Ember, we’re strengthening our ability to respond to a wide range of public safety needs across Midland County and the region.”