Sheriff Greg Speck sadly announces the passing of a devoted member of the Pulaski County law enforcement community.
Wodan, the 11 year old Dutch Malinois canine of the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office died of natural causes on Saturday evening, August 25, 2019.
The Malinois is a breed of canines bred in the Netherlands for Military and Police work that are known for their tracking skills, narcotics detection and their ferocity.
Wodan served the United States Military as a Special Forces canine in Afghanistan until the age of six when he was donated to the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office.
Wodan began his career in Law Enforcement under the guidance of his handler, Sergeant Richard Smith, an eleven veteran of the Sheriff's Office. He remained devoted to Sergeant Smith, his only handler, for five years until his death on Saturday.
Wodan was credited with locating missing persons, detecting illegal drugs, apprehending criminals and serving as a visible deterrent against crime at public events. He anxiously awaited the call to duty, whether to search a building for an intruder or for "show and tell" at an Elementary School.
Sheriff Speck said, "Wodan was a valuable asset of the Sheriff's Office and the community. He will be greatly missed."