Public Hearing: YES ? NO ? Department: Police Services
SUBJECT:
Title
Commission District(s): All Commission Districts
Canine Retirement - Official Retirement of K-9 Fire to His Handler.
Body
Information Contact: Greg A. Padrick, Chief of Police
Phone Number: (770) 724-7440
PURPOSE:
To consider approving the immediate retirement of dual-purpose canine Fire (K-9 Fire); and to consider approving retiring K-9 Fire to the care of retired Master Police Officer S.L. Eshleman; and to consider authorizing the Chief Executive Officer to execute all necessary documents.
NEED/IMPACT:
K-9 Fire entered service with the DeKalb County Police Department in July 2023 as a dual-purpose narcotics and apprehension canine and served his entire career alongside his hander, Master Patrolman (MPO) S.L. Eshleman. Throughout their partnership, K-9 Fire and MPO Eshleman have provided outstanding service to the Department and the citizens of DeKalb County.
During their service together, K-9 Fire has contributed to numerous law enforcement operations, including:
132 - K-9 deployments
25 - felony and misdemeanor arrests
17 - K-9 apprehensions
3 - drug seizures: 3
Approximately $600 in illegal narcotics seized
15 - weapons recovered
Master Police Officer Eshleman retired from the Department on July 31, 2026, after thirty (30) years of dedicated service. In conjunction with MPO Eshleman's retirement, the K-9 Unit respectfully recommends the retirement of K-9 Fire. Due to the strong bond established between K-9 Fire and MPO Eshleman, as well as K-9 Fire's temperament and working relationship with his handler, K-9 Unit leadership has determined that reassignment to a new handler would not be in the best interest of the either the Department or the canine. This recommendation is consistent with the Department's K-9 Unit Standard Operating Procedures governing the retirement of service canines.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fisca...
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