Bo, a bloodhound with the Gastonia Police Department’s K-9 unit, was honored with the Americana Humane Society’s 14th Annual Hero Dog Award.

“Bo is the first bloodhound I have worked with,” said Sgt. David Rowland, Bo’s owner, handler and sergeant with the Gastonia Police Department’s K-9 Division. “Honestly, I think the best thing I like about him is his superpower, which is his nose. He surprises me every day that we get to go out here and work in our community, and I’m just honored to be a part of it.”

Bo, an 18-month-old police dog, was selected as a semifinalist earlier this year. The Carolina Journal had the opportunity to speak with his owner and handler, Sgt. Gastonia Police Department K-9 Division Sergeant David Rowland on Bo and his qualities and accomplishments.

“We are thrilled to name Bo as American Humane’s newest Hero Dog, an honor that stands us in good stead
is well deserved for him and his supervisor David,” Dr. Robin Ganzert, President
and CEO of American Humane said in a press release. “Bo and David have done exceptional work in a short period of time. As members of the Gastonia Police Department, the two worked tirelessly and saved many lives thanks to Bo’s courage and top-notch scent detection skills. It is these incredible stories of perseverance and dedication that this award seeks to highlight.”

The gentle giant won the coveted top prize, beating hundreds of brave dogs across the country. Along with his partner Rowland, Bo uses his super-strong nose to track down missing people, including children and seniors, and comfort them when they are found.

“I can bring Bo out and give people, especially children, a chance to interact with them. I think it’s great that the community comes over and sees him, pets him and learns about him,” Rowland told the Carolina Journal earlier this year.

Bo’s journey began in April 2023 with the Gastonia Police Department. Despite his youth, Bo’s heartwarming story shows extraordinary courage and commitment. After his training, Bo began working as a police K-9 in October 2023. He quickly demonstrated his invaluable skills by tracking down an elderly dementia patient and an 11-year-old autistic child who had gone missing.

Bo also tracked down robbery suspects despite strong smells, which led to their capture. On a cold January evening in 2024, Bo demonstrated his extraordinary skills by tracking down a missing elderly patient across miles and harsh conditions, ultimately bringing him to safety. One of his most touching moments occurred in May 2024 when he saw a seven-year-old child who had been shot with a knife.

His superiors say the work brings joy and hope, making him a true hero and an inspiring presence in the Gastonia Police Department.

Bo and the four other finalists will be honored Jan. 8 at the 14th annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards and Gala in Palm Beach, an awards ceremony hosted by Christie Brinkley and Carson Kressley.

“Bo is such a young dog, especially in the work community and in police and military work. “You don’t really expect much from people so young in our industry,” said Rowland. “But when Bo hit the road, at just six months old he has already done so much for our community and he has done some amazing things, from finding missing people to helping get justice for crime victims Normally this wouldn’t have happened without his nose. We wouldn’t have found these missing people, we wouldn’t have found these criminals, and that would have had a negative impact on our community. I think he is a true hero and deserves recognition.”