After six years with the Warsaw Police Department, K-9 Pako is retiring due to ongoing medical issues.

Warsaw Police Chief Scott Whitaker announced Pako’s retirement to the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety this morning noting the purebred German Shepherd just recently underwent medical treatments and is recuperating but will not be able to return to his duties. Whitaker asked the B.O.W. to allow Cpl. Allen Danko, who has served as Pako’s handler for about the last 5 years, to purchase the dog for $1 and keep him as a family pet.

Pako was born in Holland on Dec. 6, 2003, and performed his initial training in Amsterdam. He was then trained at Vohne Liche Kennels in Denver, Ind., in early 2007. and joined the Warsaw Police Department on June 6, of that same year via a grant from the K21 Foundation.

Pako was involved in numerous narcotic and criminal investigations during his career. Pako and Cpl. Danko had great success in the American Working Dog K-9 Olympics and, in 2008, Pako came in first place in obedience.

In 2009 the duo was part of a three man/dog team that finished first in the Patrol Division category. In 2011, they again placed first, this time in the individual Patrol Division category of the American Working Dog K-9 Olympics.

WPD has maintained two active K-9’s since acquiring Pako and K-9 Buddy in 2007.  With the recent acquisition of K-9 Dax, handled by WPD Patrol Officer Phil Reed, the department will maintain two active K-9’s.

Police K-9’s are valuable law enforcement tools and have proven effective in the areas of narcotic detection, apprehension of fleeing criminals, tracking, article searches, and officer/handler protection.

With the B.O.W.’s approval, Pako will now remain at home with Cpl. Danko and his family.