BY SARAH STEPHENS
PHOTOS BY ANDREW EDWARDS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
A very special four-legged Prattville Officer was recognized Tuesday night at the City Council meeting for his medical retirement from duty.
K-9 Bones was present with his handler, Investigator Joe Hicks, and both went before the council for a bit of adoration, thanks for service, and a special badge signifying Bones’ retirement placed on his collar by Mayor Bill Gillespie.
Bones, a black Labrador Retriever, will now live out his life with his handler, Hicks. The two have bonded over the years of service together, so that is quite appropriate Prattville Police Chief Mark Thompson said.
City officials praised Bones and Hicks for the untold hours of service, and investigations that were successful because of their hard work.
“Tonight we are here to talk about Bones’ retirement,” Mayor Bill Gillespie said. “He has been with the police department for a number of years, especially with the drug enforcement unit. The utilization of K9 Bones led to several search warrants, seizure of drugs, money, firearms. K9 Bones gave the drug enforcement unit alternate ways to investigate the unit’s cases. He has also been used in DEA cases all over the state of Alabama.
“His indications have allowed DEA to seize over $40,000 in US currency in Opp, Alabama. Bones has allowed others to work interdiction funded by DEA all over Alabama. Bones has been a great asset to help further criminal cases at the state and federal level. But he has been a tremendous outreach tool for the Prattville Police Department. He performed numerous demonstrations with schools and other events all over the city of Prattville. With his retirement it is a double-edged sword. I remember when we first got Bones. He is more than just a four-legged friend and employee. He is a family member.”
With that Mayor Gillespie attached Bones’ retirement badge to great applause.
Later in the council meeting, the members addressed the fact that with Bones’ retirement, there is a need for a new K-9, as well as to have the handler trained.
They passed a resolution to allow for the purchase of a new K-9. They also allowed for the cost of training for the new dog’s handler. The total expense is not to exceed $11,500. The funds for this will be paid for with Federal Drug proceeds.
Thank you Bones for your service. May the rest of your life be filled with running through fields, chewing treats and being loved by your family.
