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A four-legged entry for the Polar Bear Plunge

By WTOP Staff

WASHINGTON — Every year, thousands of police, cadets and sheriff’s deputies plunge into the frigid waters of the Chesapeake Bay to raise money for Maryland’s Special Olympics. But one officer jumps right in without his uniform — he’s a dog.

Rockville City Police K-9 officer Boomer is not only a specialist in explosives and protection; he’s pretty gifted in the fundraising department, too.

Boomer and his handler, Corporal Heath Marshall, Rockville City Police Department. (Courtesy of Karin Marshall)
Boomer and his handler, Corporal Heath Marshall, Rockville City Police Department. (Courtesy of Karin Marshall)

The Rockville City web page says Boomer has made three Polar Bear Plunges so far, and last year raised $1,400 on his own. The rest of the force has done pretty well too: The Rockville City Police Department has raised more than $21,000 for Special Olympics Maryland since first taking part in the frosty enterprise.

Police departments from around the state will take part in the Police Plunge on Jan. 23 at Sandy Point State Park, one day before the official Plungefest 2015.

For information on the event, click here.

WTOP’s Kate Ryan contributed to this report. Follow @WTOP on Twitter and WTOP on Facebook.

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