MAN'S BEST FRIEND

     Back in July I rode along with two of the area's K9 units, the Shawano Police Department K9 unit Scott Ruen and Aldo and also the Shawano County Sheriff's Department K9 unit Craig Rekoske and Getty.
      It was an eye-opening experience seeing how the dogs and officers work together and how much they depend on each other.
     On Saturday, I got to spend some time visiting with the K9 units again as they said farewell to one of their own. Deano — a Shawano County Sheriff's Department K9 since 2007 — was retiring from active duty. Deano, a German Shepherd, has helped the sheriff's department in numerous big drug cases throughout the area.
     Deano and his handler, Deputy Nick Prey, have found over 84 pounds of drugs through searches, have over 120 narcotic-related arrests.
     It was my first retirement ceremony for a K9 that I've covered and it was interesting. Deano received a certificate and his badge from Shawano County Sheriff Randy Wright.
     With the retirement of Deano, the sheriff's department received a new dog, Cody who was paired with Deputy Ben Klenke.
     Good luck to Deano in his retirement!

Shawano County K9 Deano relaxes on the floor of the Shawano County Park after receiving his badge during a retirement ceremony on Saturday.

Shawano County Sheriff's Deputy Nick Prey pets K9 Deano during Deano's retirement party on Saturday at the Shawano County Park.

Shawano County Sheriff Randy Wright pets K9 Deano as he presents a certificate to Deano's handler Nick Prey during Deano's retirement party on Saturday at Shawano County Park.