The Buffalo Grove Police Department is fully staffed again now that Badge #168K is taking cases.
The “K” on this new addition’s badge signifies “K-9,” identifying the department’s new police dog — a German shepherd.
After more than a year without one, officers with the department introduced Hogyn, their furry officer that will assist with searches, during a swearing-in ceremony June 20 at the village board meeting.
“It’s a fantastic resource,” said Deputy Chief Roy Bethge. “It’s good to have access to our own canine again.”
During the ceremony, Hogyn affirmed his oath of office with a bark. Hogyn replaces Saxon, the German shepherd who died of liver and spleen cancer in April 2015
Bethge said the department will use Hogyn to search vehicles, buildings and outdoor areas for everything from drugs to bodies — similar to how the department used Saxon.
After the death of Saxon, Buffalo Grove police had been relying on neighboring departments when they needed to use a police dog. Helped by some community members, the department secured enough money to pay the $12,500 to have Hogyn on staff, Bethge said.
A $10,000 grant from the D.A.S Charitable Fund in Lake County covered most of the cost to bring Hogyn to the department, but a Buffalo Grove business and a resident, who both asked to remain anonymous, donated the rest, Bethge said.
Hogyn is the department’s fifth police dog. Grimm, Reaper, Chance and Saxon were all German shepherds that worked with the department before Hogyn, who Buffalo Grove police purchased and trained at Tops Kennel in Grayslake.
The newest German shepherd will work and live with officer Danielle Baron, who also handled Saxon and Chance. Without a police dog for more than a year, Baron said she was excited to start canine work again.
And she had a say on how Hogyn got his name with the department.
“It’s a young lad in Ireland,” she said. “I just wanted a really unique name.”
Twitter @RonnieAtPioneer
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