ROANOKE RAPIDS —  When anyone puts in years of dedicated service to a community, their retirement is cause for ceremony.  When such service brings safety and revenue to the community, so much the better.  When that service is done on four legs, the city council must take notice.

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Tuesday, the Roanoke Rapids City Council retired K-9 officer Brando, a Czech shepherd with multi-purpose training.  Additionally, the city agreed to sell Brando to his handler, Master Officer Chris Woodruff, for $1. “He’s been a great partner, a great friend, a great worker,” Woodruff told the council.  “All he thinks about is work.”

Mayor Drewery Beale moved to Officer Woodruff from behind the council table and gave him the dollar to purchase the dog.  Additionally, Beale presented Woodruff with a gift of $50 for “bones” for Brando.

According to Roanoke Rapids Police Chief Jeff Hinton, Brando has been responsible for the seizure of more than $700,000 in drug money and more than $1,000,000 in illegal drugs in the last four years.  Hinton also pointed out Brando has training in finding missing persons, weapons and other evidence, making him “a multi-purpose dog.”

Hinton also said he’s “sorry to see Brando go.”  The community has benefited from Brando’s “easygoing” demeanor, a trait has allowed the dog to interact with the public in a constructive manner, particularly with children.  Brando has participated in “countless” demos for kids.

Hinton and the council made it known that while the community is losing Brando’s services, the 9-year-old has hip dysphasia, which makes doing his duty somewhat painful – another dog will be reporting to replace Brando in October. 

Hinton said the next animal will be as able to work with the public and interact with children as effectively as Brando did.  He plans to purchase the department’s next dog from the same dog trainer from whom he purchased Brando.  The money used for buying the next dog will come from illegal assets Brando helped to seize. Still, as Woodruff can attest, there’s only one Brando.  The council expressed its gratitude for Brando’s service, and Woodruff took his partner home, where he now becomes a part of the family.