Kendall County K-9 Luke Retires

YORKVILLE, IL — The Kendall County Sheriff's Office on Friday announced that Luke, an 11-year-old German shepherd K-9 officer, has retired. Two days earlier, handler Deputy Timothy Decamp and the department wished Luke a happy retirement.

"Luke will enjoy his retirement at home with his family," the sheriff's office said.

Sgt. David Lawson presented a plaque to Decamp and Luke for their nine years of service together.

Luke is a dual-purpose German shepherd from Poland, specializing in narcotics detection for both vehicular and residential services, as well as patrol work including tracking, handler protection and evidence searches.

Decamp, a 22-year veteran of the sheriff's department, attended K-9 training with Luke at the Allen County Sheriff's Office in Indiana from Sept. 20 to Dec. 17, 2010. Decamp and Luke are also certified through the International Work Dog Association for police service and narcotics detection.

Luke's first day with the sheriff's office was Dec. 17, 2010.

"K-9 Luke and Deputy Decamp have been an outstanding team and I couldn’t be any prouder of the work they have done," Sheriff Dwight Baird said. "Our K-9 teams, both past and present, have always been a key in our mission to protect and serve."