A bronze statue of Chopper represents the dogs who assist troops and law enforcement. Chopper, a Navy SEAL canine who started in 2007, was handled by Trevor Maroshek when he was asked to start up the SEAL’s first canine campaign. One of the most prominent times Chopper saved the lives of U.S. troops was in Afghanistan in 2010 when he sniffed out a group of Talibans hiding in a bush, preventing an ambush on Maroshek and his comrades. While Chopper passed away last year at the age of 12, his son, Thor, is now Maroshek’s service dog.

Source: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alexander Perlman/Released