Tyler Burden is a dedicated K9 Detective with the Ahoskie Police Department and a proud native of Hertford County, North Carolina. A former standout athlete, Tyler graduated from Hertford County High School in 2012 after an accomplished baseball career, which he continued at Chowan University. There, he pursued a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice while excelling on the baseball field.
During his collegiate baseball career, Tyler earned numerous honors, including, 2014 Rawlings/ABCA Division II Atlantic All-Region Second Team, 2015 All-CIAA First Team, and 2015 NCBWA All-Region First Team. Tyler’s name is written in the baseball program record books in many locations throughout, including, 2nd in career batting average (.376), fourth in single season batting average (.407), first in career triples (14), second in single season triples (7), and first in career stolen bases (47). Tyler also has top ten records in three other categories in the Chowan baseball program.Â
His exceptional performance on the diamond led to his selection in the 20th round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. He began his professional career with the Bluefield Blue Jays before being called up to the Vancouver Canadians.
In 2017, Tyler made the decision to leave professional baseball and pursue a new passion: serving and protecting his community. After graduating from Basic Law Enforcement Training that same year, he joined the Ahoskie Police Department. Over the years, he has served in various roles including patrol officer, patrol sergeant, and K9 sergeant. Today, he proudly serves as a K9 Detective in the department's investigations unit.
Tyler completed his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at Chowan University in May 2024.
He has been married to his wife, Kerstyn, since 2020, and together they are proud parents to their daughter, Layken Graye. Tyler also serves as the handler for his trusted K9 partner, Thor, a loyal Dutch Shepherd who plays an integral role in the department’s investigative work.
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