Edmonds Police Dog "Dash" to Retire

The Edmonds Police Department is losing a valuable member of its department on July 1, 2013.  

Police K-9 Dash is retiring as his handler, Cpl. Josh McClure, is being promoted to sergeant effective July 1. 

In the summer of 2006, Dash was adopted in partnership with the Edmonds Police Foundation, from Washington German Shepherd Rescue. Dash was assigned to Officer Josh McClure in September 2006 and after several months of training they obtained their certification to work as a police K-9 unit.  Dash and Cpl. McClure recertified at Master level status the past three years. 

Dash has served the citizens of Edmonds and its surrounding communities by locating numerous suspects and items of evidence over the years.  

In 2007, Cpl. McClure was selected as the Edmonds Police Officer of the Year and Dash awarded the Medal of Valor for tackling a suspect who was shooting at Cpl. McClure. Dash will retire from police work but will continue to live with Cpl. McClure and his family. 

Cpl. McClure and the Edmonds Police Department would like to extend their appreciation to the citizens of Edmonds for the support that they both received during their tenure, according to a statement from the department.   

Edmonds police still has one dog left on the force. Kira is a tracking dog who works the night shift with Cpl. Shane Hawley. Edmonds police Sgt. Mark Marsh told Patch that although they'd like to replace Dash, it will depend on funding.

"We are hopeful that we will maintain two dogs in our K9 unit but at the very least it will not be filled right away," he said.

Do you think Edmonds police should keep two dogs on the job? Tell us in comments.