HomeMy WebLinkAboutK-9BladeRetiring
City of Edina 4801 W. 50th St. Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Kaylin Eidsness, Senior Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-833-9537 Fax 952-826-0389 EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Celebrate K-9 Blade’s Retirement Jan. 19
Edina, Minn., Dec. 28, 2016 – The public is invited to celebrate K-9 Blade’s retirement at a community
party 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, at Edina City Hall.
Blade’s last night on duty was Tuesday, Dec. 27. Blade will continue to live at home with his handler, Officer
Jason Behr, who will move from the night shift he’s worked the last 14 years to a “desk job” as the Police
Department’s Training Officer.
Behr joined the Department in 1998 as a Community Service Officer and was promoted to Police Officer in
2000. Blade joined Behr in 2010.
“Jason has been an incredible handler,” said Sgt. Mark Melander, who oversees the K-9 program. “They’ve
been extremely busy. Jason is always willing to help other communities out as well.”
During their time together, Behr and Blade located and apprehended more than 75 suspects and made more
than 150 narcotic and 100 building searches. They also made more than 400 assists and had nearly 2,000
hours of training.
Demonstrations were also a large part of Blade’s career. In 2014, when the National Detector Dog Trials
were held in Edina, Behr and Blade placed third overall, along with Officer Mike Seeger and his late K-9
partner, Diesel. It’s estimated that through community demonstrations, Blade made contact with more than
7,000 people in his seven years on the job.
While Blade will spend his days at home being a typical pet, Behr will continue his police work.
“Something like only 1 percent of officers nationwide get to become a K-9 Officer,” said Behr. “I’m sure it will
be the highlight of my career even at the point when I retire. It was a lot of work, but it was worth it.”
Human treats and beverages will be served at the party.
The City of Edina cannot accept gifts. The Edina Crime Prevention Fund will donate all gifts to Blade to
Secondhand Hounds.
For more information, call Administrative Assistant Nancy Karkhoff at 952-826-0472.
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