The goodest boy in Rhinelander gets a well-earned retirement

Two days after sniffing out a drug find in an area school system, his last of some 350 deployments in eight years of service, K-9 Odin and his partner, Rhinelander Police Captain Chad Brown, came to Rhinelander City Hall Friday morning, May 1.

There, they found three dozen well-wishers, a “Happy Retirement, Odin!” cake, and a big bag of gifts and thank-you cards awaiting them — a gratifying way for Odin, 9, to finish his final service shift with the police department. He would officially retire at noon.

Joined by police chief Josh Chiamulera, Brown recalled for the gathered crowd that his first shift with Odin had been in September 2018. Their time together since, he said, has been “kind of the best part of being a police officer that I’ve had in my 24 years” of service.

Odin has located missing people, apprehended criminals, and sniffed out illegal drugs, not to mention meeting the public at community outreach and fundraising events.

Now the black German Shepherd will live out his retirement with Brown’s family, his home since he was 17 months old.

“I’m happy that he gets to go off and be a dog and retire, and still be able to have fun at home now. But selfishly, I still want him around,” admitted Chiamulera. “He was such a useful member of our department, for sure. Officer Odin and Captain Brown here, they were a team for many, many years.” 

“I think it’ll take him some time to realize that he doesn’t have to go to work any more … that’s kind of all he’s known,” said Brown. “I can’t thank the community enough for the support they’ve given for K-9 Odin, and I appreciate the help they’re going to continue to give for (the department’s remaining canine officer) K-9 Jason, and future K-9s.”

Ardith Carlton may be reached at [email protected].