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Community News

Nobles County K-9 officer to retire


		August 9, 2012

Deputy Dustin Roemeling and his K-9 partner Chase.	It is well known among dog lovers that dog is man’s best friend. But, K-9 officer is so much more, Chase is a companion, protector and partner for Deputy Dustin Roemeling.

By Kristine Kern Tri County News Staff Writer It is well known among dog lovers that dog is man’s best friend. But, K-9 officer is so much more, Chase is a companion, protector and partner for Deputy Dustin Roemeling. Chase came to the Nobles County Sheriff’s Department in 2005 and has been their K-9 for eight years. Deputy Dustin Roemeling and Chase have been partnered together as the Nobles County K-9 unit for two years. Deputy Roemeling joined the Nobles County Sheriff’s Department two years ago after spending two years with the Worthington Police Department. Chase is a graduate of the St. Paul Police Canine Academy which requires 13 to 15 weeks of intense training. During the trainig period the canine and it’s handler are put through a training that includes working on obedience, tracking, bite work (this teaches the canine how to apprehend a suspect while doing the least amount of injury possible), building searches and even how to release from a car to apprehend a suspect or defend their partner. The canine and handler do narcotic training learning, how to search lockers, buildings, cars and suspects. Along with all this they both participate in the agility training with the handler getting as much training and workout on the agility course as the canine. Chase is a “dual purpose” K-9, he has been trained to search and find humans, search and clear buildings and search and find drugs. In 2006 Chase was called in to search for an elderly woman suffering from Alzheimer's who had disappeared in Fulda. Chase tracked her scent to a lake and the woman was found standing in shallow freezing water. Chase is credited with saving her life. Deputy Roemeling states “Chase has been crucial in finding and keeping drugs out of schools and off the streets these past eight years and he has had hundreds of successful tracks.” But, Chase is now nine years old, the Sheriff’s Department wants to allow him to retire. When you meet Chase he seems to have the energy of a puppy, but Deputy Roemeling, who not only works with Chase every day, but is also Chase’s companion comments “Chase has accomplished a lot in his eight years with the Sheriff’s Department he has worked hard and I think he is looking forward to retirement.” According to Deputy Roemeling Chase still loves getting in the squad car and going to work, he loves his job, but he is enjoying his couch time at home more and more. After his retirement, Chase will continue to live with Deputy Roemeling. The biggest obstacle the Nobles County Sheriff’s Department faces in retiring Chase is finding his replacement. The cost of replacing Chase will run between $16,000 to $19,000. The cost includes the purchase of the dog, the training of both dog and Deputy Roemeling, gas and motel, etc. The Department is raising the money through donations and fundraising. The Adrian Town and Country Association donated $500 toward the new K-9. The law enforcement K-9 is an invaluable tool in the fight against crime. A well trained and handled canine is an important non-lethal aid in the prevention and detection of crime. It would be a great loss to the county if the K-9 Unit was not continued. Fundraisers are still in the planning stages. Anyone interested in donating towards the K-9 Unit can call the Nobles County Sheriff’s Department at 507-372-2136, if you have any questions you can ask for Deputy Dustin Roemeling and he will be happy to answer them. Deputy Roemeling and Chase will be stopping at the Nobles County Fair throughout the week so look for them and make sure to thank Chase for his years of service to the County.