ALTON, Ill. – Six days ago, a K9 with the Alton Police Department was killed in the line of duty as his human colleagues attempted to arrest an armed suspect. On Wednesday, the department shared the obituary of its fallen furry comrade, Odin, on the department’s Facebook page.
Odin, a Belgian Malinois-German shepherd mix, was born in Hungary in January 2023. In January 2024, he received his passport and relocated to Shallow Creek Kennels in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania.
The Alton Police Department picked Odin to join their K9 team in February 2024. On February 26, Odin and his handler began their training at the Illinois State Police K9 Academy in Pawnee, Illinois. Odin and his handler graduated the program on May 3, 2024.
Over the next three months, K9 Odin helped officers apprehend violent offenders and locate illegal narcotics and stolen vehicles.
Around 6 a.m. on August 22, Alton police requested K9 Odin and his handler to assist officers in finding and arresting a suspect who injured a woman earlier. Odin located the suspect but was shot, along with another officer. Officers returned fire and fatally wounded the armed suspect.
Odin was rushed to Hawthorne Animal Hospital in Glen Carbon, Illinois, where he later died of his injuries. He was 20 months old. The wounded officer was treated at a local hospital.
The Alton Police Department said the public can make donations to officially support its K9 program in one of two ways: by writing a check payable to the Alton Police Department K9 Program and by donating to the MustacheMarch4PD (MM4PD).
