Police Dog Gets Proper Retirement Send-Off

The Oak Creek Police Department always holds short ceremonies for its retiring officers. On Wednesday, it decided to do the same for its retiring police canine Kuno.

Kuno was honored for his years of service to the department with a short ceremony Wednesday in the Oak Creek municipal court room. Since 2005, he and Officer Paul Hernon have responded at a moment's notice to calls for police service.

With Kuno sitting in the front row gnawing on a bone, Police Chief John Edwards noted a few highlights of Kuno's career:

In 2007, Kuno found and apprehended a man with a butcher knife who was reportedly threatening his family. Officers were able to arrest the man and prevent serious harm to himself and others.

Kuno helped saved the life of a suicidal man in 2009, locating him during a search stretching more than a half mile. The man had cut his wrists and may have died if not found.

He also won an award in 2010, during a state police canine competition, for quickest apprehension on a building search out of about 100 other dogs.

Kuno was supposed to retire last year, but due to budget constraints, the department decided to extend his service an extra year after getting clearance from veterinarians.

Now, with problems in one of his legs, the time finally came for Kuno to see the softer side of life and retire from police service. Ownership of Kuno was formally transferred to Hernon and his family.

"As Paul said, you could take that leg off, and it's not going to stop his drive. He'll do what he's asked to do," Edwards said. "But....it was time for him to retire."

Kuno is one of two canines involved with the Oak Creek police force. A new police canine handler has been selected and will attend a six-week course beginning April 1.