St. Charles police dog enjoying retirement
The most popular member of the St. Charles Police Department is enjoying his first full week of retirement.
The 63-year-old Lars never drew a weapon in all his years of service. In fact, his greatest tool on the job proved to be his nose.
"Lars," the department's canine for the last seven years, officially stepped down last week to become a pet.
"It feels like I'm walking around today without a shoe," said Sgt. Tom Shaw on his first day without Lars as his partner. Shaw will be reassigned as the department receives a new canine at the end of the month and another officer gets a turn at being a handler.
"It's by far the best position in the police department," Shaw said. "You get more training, more contacts and more exposure to the public."
Indeed, in his 49 dog years on the job, Lars proved to be the department's best community relations tool. Police dogs these days are trained to be receptive to members of the public who want to pet them, but also snap to work at a moment's notice.
That state of readiness manifested itself in several highlight incidents for Lars and Shaw.
Lars was often called in to assist in narcotics busts in nearby cities and counties. Dogs are often the most useful tool police have in obtaining probable cause. For instance, packages can't be opened at random by the police unless they have a reasonable suspicion that drugs are inside. Police dogs are trained to sniff out various drugs. Anytime a police dog reacts to a package, that's enough probable cause for police to search it.
In one case, Lars sniffed out two packages that were shrink-wrapped, covered in axle grease and sealed with caulk in a Styrofoam box that contained a total of 50 pounds of cannabis.
Another time, Lars located an intoxicated woman who wandered into the brush after abandoning her car on Route 38. She had fallen over a short wall, knocking herself out. If not for Lars, it is unlikely the woman would've been found. She spent three days in the hospital.
Lars closed his career by just recently locating a car burglar who was running from police and had hidden in a flower bed. Once caught by Lars, the burglar was indicted on multiple felony charges.
"That meant a lot to both of us to be able to close things out like that," Shaw said. "Right now, he's home with my wife. But not being at work with me, I'm sure he feels like he doesn't have one of his paws either."
Canine units are paid for almost entirely by St. Charles community donations. The St. Charles Moose Lodge and Kane County Teachers Credit Bureau front the $15,000 cost for purchasing a dog and having it trained. Critters Pet Shop supplies free food. Fox Grooming Den provides free grooming. And Gateway Veterinary Clinic provides free medical and injury care.