After spending the last 10 years helping to fight crime alongside her fellow partners with Dowagiac Police Department, Dowagiac’s first four-legged police officer is enjoying civilian life for the first time.

Last month, the police department made the decision to transition Cessy, their German Shepard police dog, away from active duty. The K-9, who is 12 years old, now resides fulltime with her former handler, Sgt. Dave Davis, at his home in Dowagiac.

The department’s decision to retire their sole police dog was surely not an easy one. The canine cost $10,000 for the department to purchase in 2005. Even using funds from the millage that was passed months earlier to create the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team, that was a significant investment for a small police department like Dowagiac’s.

With the average German Shepard only remaining in service until they are 10 years old, Cessy more than earned her stay with the department. In February, the K9 assisted police in uncovering one pound of processed marijuana as well as methamphetamine inside a vehicle, in what was otherwise a routine traffic stop.

That’s on top of the other arrests and assists that Cessy has provided the department in her decade of service with the department. According to Davis, her sharp nose has even allowed officers to track down suspects during snowstorms, a feat no human could ever hope to pull off.

Director of Public Safety Steve Grinnewald said the department is considering purchasing another K9 to replace Cessy in the field. While it certainly won’t be cheap, we feel this is a wise investment for the city, one that will help keep our streets that much safer.

We wish Cessy a happy retirement. She has more than earned it.

 

Opinions expressed are those of the editorial board consisting of Publisher Michael Caldwell and editors Ambrosia Neldon, Craig Haupert, Ted Yoakum and Scott Novak.