Cape Coral officer and K-9 recognized for valor, named finalist for Officer of the Year

CAPE CORAL, Fla. —

Cape Coral police Officer Travis Harrison and his K-9 partner Van are finalists for the Rotary Club of Fort Myers South’s Officer of the Year award, which will be announced tomorrow night at Alico Arena during the Law and Order Ball.

Last September, Harrison and Van were involved in a dramatic police takedown following a murder in Cape Coral, where a man killed his own mother. The chase extended from Cape Coral to North Naples, with Harrison and Van arriving first at the scene.

"You know, even the police dogs, they can be different. Some are a little calmer, and some just want to get the bad guy 24/7, and that's him," Harrison said, referring to Van.

Harrison has been a police officer for nearly five years, but before joining the force, he was a minor league baseball player in the Twins organization.

"I played third base, and then, like, corner outfield spot. Yeah, that was fun. I was super lucky in that and got to do a lot of fun things. And now I get to do this. So they say I've lived the life of the dream of, like, every 5-year-old boy," Harrison said.

His athleticism has proven to be a significant advantage in his role as a K-9 officer.

"Because they're not slowing down most of the time. And so to catch people, you've got to move quickly," Harrison said.

Recently, Harrison and Van received the Meritorious Service Award, which recognizes their valor, skill, and dedication to public safety.

"It's such an honor. It really is. I mean, it's all happening pretty quickly. You know, the hard work that the guys over there put in, the trainers, it all paid off," Harrison said.

The Rotary Club of Fort Myers South will name the Officer of the Year Saturday night at Alico Arena during the Law and Order Ball.

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