On Friday, March 1, 2013 police officers, community leaders and citizens gathered at the Lakeland Police Department to honor retired police Sergeant Ron Bowling Sr. at a dedication ceremony. Bowling, dubbed "Polk County's father of K-9 training", was honored at the ceremony for starting the K-9 program at the Lakeland Police Department. However Bowling is also credited with helping to build other K-9 teams across Polk County through his many years of service. He and is first K-9 partner, Sarge, took to the streets of Lakeland in 1980. Over the next few years the team went on to be known as the best, winning numerous championships in K9 competitions. For his years of dedication and service, the Lakeland Police Department has renamed their K9 training facility the Sgt. Ron Bowling Lakeland Police K-9 Traning Facility.