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Vader: A Police Dog Story
In the tropical heat of North Queensland, one police dog’s courage became the stuff of legend.
For five years, Vader served alongside Sergeant David Raymond, tracking criminals, locating missing persons, and putting himself in harm’s way to protect his community. From high-stakes manhunts to heart-stopping rescues, Vader’s career was filled with extraordinary moments—some heroic, some humorous, and all deeply moving.
This gripping true story follows Vader from his early days at the Queensland Police Academy to the dangerous streets of Cairns, where he and Sgt Raymond worked as an unbreakable team. Whether chasing down violent offenders, finding people on the brink of death, or causing chaos with his notorious dislike of small animals, Vader was fearless, loyal, and relentless in his duty.
More than just a police dog, Vader left an incredible legacy. His story is a tribute to the bravery, dedication, and unbreakable bond between a handler and his four-legged partner.
"A fearless protector, a loyal partner—Vader’s legacy lives on."
For five years, Vader served alongside Sergeant David Raymond, tracking criminals, locating missing persons, and putting himself in harm’s way to protect his community. From high-stakes manhunts to heart-stopping rescues, Vader’s career was filled with extraordinary moments—some heroic, some humorous, and all deeply moving.
This gripping true story follows Vader from his early days at the Queensland Police Academy to the dangerous streets of Cairns, where he and Sgt Raymond worked as an unbreakable team. Whether chasing down violent offenders, finding people on the brink of death, or causing chaos with his notorious dislike of small animals, Vader was fearless, loyal, and relentless in his duty.
More than just a police dog, Vader left an incredible legacy. His story is a tribute to the bravery, dedication, and unbreakable bond between a handler and his four-legged partner.
"A fearless protector, a loyal partner—Vader’s legacy lives on."
320 pages, Paperback
Published August 26, 2025
3 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 1, 2026
The many stories of Vader and Dave gives insight into the relationship between a man and his dog and the heroic work they conducted together.
With each story, you hear about the bravery of both Vader and Dave and you can tell just how much they both loved their jobs and each other. It was great to hear the other perspectives of stories I’d only heard about in the news, and get the unfiltered versions that described the brave acts of all those involved and how much they risked to protect the community. Dave gives an insight into the world of policing and I hope it inspires others to continue the legacy of Dave and Vader in their own way.
Dave has a way of writing that makes you feel like you’re there too, watching all the action unfold. He conveys the innocence of those who suffered at the hands of others, while also respecting the humanity of those who made poor choices.
This was a great and easy read. Each chapter is its own seperate story, which means it is easy to read whenever you get a short moment without having to pick up midway through a story. At the same time, it is also very difficult to put down and I found myself reading chapter after chapter after chapter.
I hope that Dave continues to write the stories of his police dogs because I can’t wait to hear about the adventures of Buddy, Zed, Axel and Jet.
With each story, you hear about the bravery of both Vader and Dave and you can tell just how much they both loved their jobs and each other. It was great to hear the other perspectives of stories I’d only heard about in the news, and get the unfiltered versions that described the brave acts of all those involved and how much they risked to protect the community. Dave gives an insight into the world of policing and I hope it inspires others to continue the legacy of Dave and Vader in their own way.
Dave has a way of writing that makes you feel like you’re there too, watching all the action unfold. He conveys the innocence of those who suffered at the hands of others, while also respecting the humanity of those who made poor choices.
This was a great and easy read. Each chapter is its own seperate story, which means it is easy to read whenever you get a short moment without having to pick up midway through a story. At the same time, it is also very difficult to put down and I found myself reading chapter after chapter after chapter.
I hope that Dave continues to write the stories of his police dogs because I can’t wait to hear about the adventures of Buddy, Zed, Axel and Jet.
January 7, 2026
I found this book hard to finish — not because it dragged, but because I didn’t want the adventures to end. I’ve always dreamed of being a police officer in the K9 division and had grand ideas of what that life might look like. Never in my wildest imagination did I fully grasp the danger these officers face, often multiple times a day.
Vader: A Police Dog Story is such a journey that at times it feels like fiction. The experiences of Dave and Vader are often unbelievable, yet knowing they are real makes them all the more powerful.
I wish I’d had the opportunity to meet Vader and see him at work — to witness his skill and presence firsthand. But the beauty of this book is that you feel as though you are there anyway. Dave has a rare gift for recounting his experiences in vivid detail, allowing the reader to follow every moment without missing a beat.
I loved this book not only for its gripping storytelling, but because it gave me a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Queensland Police Force and the extraordinary work carried out by their K9 units.
Vader: A Police Dog Story is such a journey that at times it feels like fiction. The experiences of Dave and Vader are often unbelievable, yet knowing they are real makes them all the more powerful.
I wish I’d had the opportunity to meet Vader and see him at work — to witness his skill and presence firsthand. But the beauty of this book is that you feel as though you are there anyway. Dave has a rare gift for recounting his experiences in vivid detail, allowing the reader to follow every moment without missing a beat.
I loved this book not only for its gripping storytelling, but because it gave me a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Queensland Police Force and the extraordinary work carried out by their K9 units.
December 11, 2025
Absolutely loved it. I had the pleasure of meeting Dave and chatting about Vader and the process of getting his story published.
Hearing stories as someone who lives in the area is especially fascinating. Some of the stories unfortunately feel all too familiar with the kind of crime here, and yet I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
Fantastic read, and will be recommending this to anyone who wants to read genuine true crime stories from another perspective.
Hearing stories as someone who lives in the area is especially fascinating. Some of the stories unfortunately feel all too familiar with the kind of crime here, and yet I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
Fantastic read, and will be recommending this to anyone who wants to read genuine true crime stories from another perspective.
September 14, 2025
Great stories about a fearless dog full of unique character with determined will and a generous dose of cheeky. Authentic tales from the front line told accurate and raw as only a person who was there for it all could do.
October 1, 2025
This book was quite the eye opener into the work life of the dog squad. Quite unbelievable. Well worth a read
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews