Buchanan County K-9 Koda Retires

Buchanan County’s K9 has retired.

Sheriff’s K9 Deputy Koda officially retired last week after eight years of service – that’s 56 years in dog years.

During those eight years, Koda, under the supervision of K9 Handler Deputy Ben Ward, took pounds of illegal drugs off the streets, successfully tracked numerous fleeing suspects and assisted in locating several lost or suicidal persons. Not only did Koda serve the citizens of Buchanan County, but was also called to assist law enforcement agencies in surrounding counties dozens of times.

Sheriff Buzynski and the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office thank Koda and Handler Ward for their dedication in serving the area these past eight years.

The Sheriff’s Office’s last patrol dog, K9 Deputy Drigon, retired from service in 2005.  In 2015, after 10 years without a patrol dog, then-Sheriff Bill Wolfgram announced that he would be reinstating the K9 Program. Subsequently, Deputy Ward and K9 Deputy Koda began patrol duties just prior to January 2016.

Deputy Ryan Gudenkauf has been promoted as the agency’s next K9 Handler. Deputy Gudenkauf hopes to travel to Vohne Liche Kennels in Indiana to obtain and begin training with a new K9 as early as this summer.

photos courtesy of Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office