STATE FIRE MARSHAL
IN MEMORIUM FOR XENA
Xena
Passed away September 2011
It is with great sadness that the Bureau of Fire and
Arson announce the passing of Accelerant Detection Canine Xena.
Xena and her handler, Eric Saccasyn (Tampa Field Office) were teamed up
together through a Division of State Fire Marshal and State Farm Insurance
partnership. The team graduated and was certified as an
Accelerant Detection Canine Team by the Maine State Police/Maine Specialty
Dogs on September 8, 2000.
During her career with the Division of State Fire
Marshal, Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations, Xena is credited with
investigating 591 suspicious fires that resulted in 116 Arson arrests.
Two of those notable cases were the Best Western Fire and the historic
Columbia Restaurant Fire in Ybor City. However, Xena will be
best remembered for her ability to respond by barking when Eric spoke French
and her ability to demonstrate “Stop, Drop and Roll”.
