Village's First and Only K-9 Officer Retires

It's never easy for a good cop to hang up his badge. 

But after 5 1/2 years on the force, the most unique officer on the Frankfort Police Department called it a career this week.

Alpha, Frankfort's first and only K-9 officer, was officially retired because of health reasons Monday night at the Village Board meeting. The German shepherd suffers from hip and arthritis problems in his left leg, said Alpha's handler, Officer Kevin Lanz, and he walks with a noticeable limp now. Because Alpha needed longer recovery times between training and deployment, the department's command staff and the dog's veternarian felt it was best for Alpha to retire from the force, Lanz said.

"We hope that we've proven ourselves as far as ... how much of an asset (the K-9 program) is to the police department, not only on a community relations level but an enforcement level," Lanz said. "You can tell he's my best friend, and hopefully, he's made a lot of friends with people along the way."

During his time on the force, Alpha worked cases involving drug detection, building searches and locker checks. He also worked with the DARE programs in Frankfort schools and served as a PR representative for the department. In fact, one of his last duties was .

"We know that Alpha has done a good job for us. We've been very pleased with the results," said Mayor Jim Holland, who presented Alpha with a retirement toy bone.

Considered a success now, Frankfort's K-9 program was not initially met with support by some village officials. Trustees Dick Trevarthan and Todd Morgan said they were doubtful that the village needed such a unit when it was proposed, especially given its expense. But both were pleased with what they saw over the years.

"I questioned this early on, but I think the program worked out really well," Trevarthan said. 

Police Chief John Burica said that because of the sudden nature of Alpha's retirement, there are no plans to continue the K-9 program. It's something, however, the department and Village Board will look at during Frankfort's next budget planning session.