Purdue police welcome newest K-9 to force

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - With help from Purdue University Residences and the Tippecanoe County Prosecutor’s Office, Purdue’s police department has added a King to its force. King is a 2-year-old Dutch shepherd trained in narcotics detection and apprehension.

The newest K-9 will join a force that also includes Macho, a Dutch shepherd that is trained in explosives detection and has been with the department since 2010; and Paco, a Dutch shepherd with the department since 2015. King also comes after the death of Vara, a German shepherd that joined the force in October 2012 and died in April from cancer.

Like Vara, King will partner with evening-shift officer Kevin Balzer.

The newest Purdue K-9 was born in Germany and, like his predecessors, was trained at Vohne Liche Kennels in Denver, Indiana. Purdue Residences and the Tippecanoe County Prosecutor’s Office provided funding for King.

Purdue’s K-9 unit has made a difference in stopping crime since its first dog, Nicky, joined the force in 2008. Nicky, which served until March 2015 and died recently, participated in nearly 600 deployments on and off campus, resulting in about 275 arrests. Balzer estimates that Vara participated in 30-40 arrests each year.

The dogs also serve as ambassadors for the university, participating in numerous police outreach efforts.

A ceremony will be held at the Purdue University Police Department at 4 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 4) to welcome King to the community.  In addition, the Purdue University Police Department will also honor Vara’s and Nicky’s service to the Purdue community.   

Contact: Eric Chin, Purdue University Police Department, 765-494-8221, ehchin@purdue.edu 

Source: Kevin Balzer, 765-494-8221, krbalzer@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: The Purdue Police Department will introduce King, its newest K-9, at 4 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 4) at the department, 205 S. Martin Jischke Drive, West Lafayette. Journalists are invited to attend.