Eureka Police Department’s only furry, four-legged officer ended his watch Sunday after being recently diagnosed with an aggressive autoimmune disease.
Reno, 9 1/2, had patrolled Eureka since 2012 with Sgt. Mike Werges as his handler.
“We trained him, put him on the street around the fall of 2012, and he’s worked ever since,” Werges said.
Werges said, Reno, who was a black and tan German shepherd from Shallow Creek Kennels in Sharpsville, Pa., was all business.
“He was very driven to work,” he said.
Reno’s drive led to many successful arrests and awards.
Werges said in 2013, he and Reno were named the top narcotics detection team in St. Louis by the German Shepherd Dog Club of St. Louis.
“That was a big honor for us to win,” he said.
In 2017, Reno and Werges were honored again. Werges received the North American Police Work Dog Association Trainer of the year award.
“They named me trainer of the year, which was a big honor and a big reflection on Reno, too, because he turned out so well,” Werges said. “He’s just a great dog.”
In the last 13 years, Eureka Police has hosted the North American Police Work Dog Association State Workshop 10 times and hosted three national workshops.
Werges said over Reno’s seven years of service, the dog assisted in hundreds of arrests, searches and calls.
“You’re looking at hundreds of narcotic searches and a lot of those resulted in arrest,” Werges said. “We’ve assisted local, state and federal agencies.”
Werges said he knew Reno loved to work because he would never lie down in the back of the police car.
“I would drive for 12 hours and he would never lie down and he was going from window to window, looking,” he said.
Werges said Reno was always excited on a call.
“When I would pull a car over or we pulled up on a traffic stop, he would whine and get excited because he knew what was coming,” he said. “He would get the opportunity to work.”
Reno also did community demonstrations. Werges said Reno’s last demonstration was about five weeks ago for a local Boy Scout troop at The River church.
“Police dogs open up so many barriers,” Werges said. “People might not come up and talk to you being a police officer because they are intimidated by you or your police car. But everyone likes dogs for the most part. So, it’s a great avenue for us to open up dialogue with people and get out and reach the kids.”
In the last few weeks, Werges said he noticed Reno having lower energy.
“He kind of became a little lethargic,” he said.
Eureka veterinarian Don Griese diagnosed Reno with an aggressive autoimmune disease.
German Shepherds typically have a lifespan of nine to 13 years.
“I was hoping and looking forward to Reno having a nice long life, but it just wasn’t in the cards,” Werges said.
Werges’ first K-9 partner, Ricky, retired from the Police Department in 2012 at 9 1/2 and lived until he was 13.
Werges said times like these have been the hardest part of his job.
“They’re with you at work, they’re with you at home, they’re with you all the time,” he said. “It’s tough.”
Werges’ wife, Eureka School Resource Officer Jen Werges, was home with Reno on Sunday when his condition worsened. Werges was in Jefferson City attending classes toward his master’s degree.
He came home to be with Reno and decided, along with Police Chief Mike Wiegand and the veterinarian, that it would be best for Reno to not be in pain and the dog was euthanized.
Reno was the department’s fourth K-9 officer over the last 26 years.
Werges said Eureka will acquire another police dog, but he will not be the dog’s handler. He said a new handler and dog will be trained.
Werges said his duties as a sergeant don’t allow enough time for the extensive training that is required.
“I was just really blessed to work two really great dogs,” he said.
Jen Werges said losing Reno is the end of an era for their family, since Werges will not train another dog.
Jen said Reno was always loyal.
“Always looking past me for his dad,” she said.
Werges said the Purina and Maritz companies contributed toward Reno’s purchase.