Retired Des Plaines police dog Bane has died

A retired Des Plaines police dog died Saturday, the department announced.

Bane, a 12-year-old Austrian Shepherd, served with the department from 2014 to 2020. He teamed with then-officer Steve Dickson and, as is tradition, lived with Dickson and his family in retirement.

Bane suffered from age-related issues and a recent illness and was euthanized, police Cmdr. Matt Bowler said Monday.

The department announced Bane’s passing in a Facebook post.

“We thank you K9 Bane for the many many hours and years of service to the City and its residents,” the announcement reads. “You will be missed.”

Dickson, now a sergeant with the department, couldn’t be reached for comment.

Working with Dickson, Bane was trained to detect drugs, track people and find objects.

Bane earned headlines just days into his career in Des Plaines, recovering $30,000 in drug money.

“His narcotics-detection work resulted in significant seizures, establishing him as one of the most successful K9 officers in the Northwest Suburbs,” Police Chief Dave Anderson said Monday through a spokesperson.

Bane’s reward for a good job was play time with Dickson and a rubber tug-of-war toy.

Anderson said Bane “exemplified the critical role that police canines play in law enforcement.”

“Bane faithfully served our community and leaves a legacy that will be remembered by law enforcement agencies across the region, as well as by Sgt. Dickson and his family,” Anderson said.