Courier Staff Writer

EVANSDALE

After nearly seven years on the Evansdale Police Department, Officer Eddie Von Westfork is saying good-bye.

An on-the-job injury is forcing him to retire, but fortunately for the city, worker's compensation won't be necessary.

Eddie, the Evansdale police dog, will now live a life of leisure at the home of his handler, Officer Brian Harrill.

"This started out as an assignment and the more we bonded, it became a friendship," Harrill said. "He is part of the family now, even if the cats don't agree."

At just 18 months of age Eddie became a full-fledged member of the department, under the watchful eye of Officer Randy Weber. In April 1999, Harrill took the reins.

Harrill said Eddie was always a big help, but one incident in particular really sticks out in his mind.

"We were doing a vehicle search and I put him inside the car. He was working real well and went right for the ashtray," Harrill said. "I didn't think anything was in it, but he had sniffed out a marijuana cigarette that was not even a half-an-inch long. It amazes me all the time to see a dog work."

Even when he wasn't needed on official business, Eddie accompanied Harrill on each shift, secured in a special cage in the car's back seat.

"I've had a few one-sided conversations in the car," he said. "I do miss him coming to work with me."

Chief Michael Burke said the addition of Eddie has been nothing but positive for his department.

"We've had him on numerous searches in vehicles, homes…taking him on search warrants. I don't have an exact count, but it's been a lot," Burke said.

Eddie's agility was compromised in May 2001 when he was diagnosed with arthritis. Medications kept him comfortable and on the job for more than a year, but an accident in August while searching a semi at the Flying J Travel Plaza made his job nearly impossible.

"Because of the height, I had to pick him up and put him in the cab. When we were done, I told him to stay while I jumped down," Harrill said. But, Eddie got a little excited and decided to make the jump anyway. "He caught his toenail in one of the step of the truck and hurt his shoulder."

With the new injury the medications became less effective and Eddie slowly eased his way out of the position. Earlier this month the City Council voted unanimously to turn Eddie over to Harrill for $1.

The department is now investigating the need for another police dog, but Harrill said regardless of the outcome, he won't be offering to fill this position again.

"I think it would be tough to have two dogs at home," Harrill said.

The department is researching the possibility of getting another police dog, but Burke said the verdict is still out. Until then, officers will rely on neighboring agencies to provide a dog when the situations arise.