A Lynnwood police officer is a top cop in the state.

Officer Cole Langdon, one of three Lynnwood Police K-9 handlers, has been awarded the Washington State Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Gold Medal award. He was selected from among 132 nominations around the state. Langdon is now eligible for the national Gold Medal award.

“Because of Langdon’s reputation and vast experience as a public safety official, he has more than demonstrated all the criteria for this prestigious award,” said VFW Post 1040’s Commander Martin Spani.

Langdon was also the 2009 Chief’s Award winner for the Lynnwood PD and was named 2009 Officer of the Year by his peers.

Langdon and his partner Buddy are cross-trained in narcotic detection and have been called upon nearly 100 times this year to search for suspects and drugs.