Glen Carbon To Retire Two Four-Legged Police Officers

by Kathy Turner

The new year will bring about the official retirement of Glen Carbon Police Department’s canine officers, Griff and Wrath. Both dogs will be retired to their officer handlers, Joshua Daniels and Louis Mitchelar respectively.

Chief Todd Link informed the Board that Daniels will be joining the Illinois State Police in the new year. Since his canine partner Griff is at retirement age, it was decided to donate the K9 to his handler to live out his life as a companion pet.

Officer Mitchelar is staying with the Glen Carbon police department for the time being. But Wrath, his canine partner, is also at retirement age. As such, Mitchelar will continue to use Wrath as part of his officer training duties, but Wrath will primarily be enjoying his life as a family dog.

The Glen Carbon Police Department has one other canine officer who came to the department earlier this year. Chief Link stated that the canine program in Glen Carbon started with a gift from Dr. Mark Everson. Hawthorne Animal Hospital in Glen Carbon has since provided all medical care and food for the canine officers. Chief Link informed the Board that they will continue to have canine officers as part of the force based upon the value they’ve provided the force over the past years.