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Shawnee County honors retiring K-9 Drago after 10 years of service
Summary
Shawnee County commissioners and Sheriff's Office staff recognized K-9 Drago's retirement Jan. 16 after a decade of patrol and explosive-detection work. The board formally acknowledged receipt of correspondence transferring ownership to Drago's handler.
Shawnee County commissioners and members of the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office on Jan. 16 recognized K-9 Drago, a 10-year-old German Shepherd, as he retired from active service and ownership was transferred to his handler, officials said.
Brian Hill of the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office told commissioners that Drago is a dual-purpose canine trained in patrol and explosive detection and has worked with multiple handlers during his career. "Drago is a 10 year old German Shepherd that...has been one of the most active, productive canines that Shawnee County Sheriff's Office has had," Hill said during the presentation.
Hill and handlers said Drago performed more than 250 explosive sweeps on local facilities and venues, completed about 15,000 scent sniffs during detection training and operations, took part in roughly 80 patrol deployments and assisted in more than 70 apprehensions during his career, according to Hill's remarks. Ownership of Drago will transfer to his current handler, Deputy Guy Gardner, the correspondence noted.
Chair Aaron Mays moved to acknowledge receipt of the retirement correspondence; Commissioner Rippon seconded. The board voted 3-0 to accept the notice and to formally acknowledge Drago's retirement. Commissioners and Sheriff's Office staff joined for photos and brief remarks praising the dog's service.
The retirement acknowledgment was procedural; no further county action or funding was reported in the meeting record.
