PHOTOS COURTESY CPL. DALE TROTTER
Edo, a 10-year-old German shepherd, cele- brates his retirement from the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office as a K-9 officer during a ceremony at a Worcester County Commissioners meeting last Tuesday.

By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer

(July 25, 2019) Edo, a K-9 officer for the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, was recognized for his years of service at a brief retirement ceremony at the Worcester Commissioners meeting last Tuesday.

“K-9 Edo had six wonderful years of service to the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office in keeping our county safe, so we thank you, K-9 Edo,” Sheriff Matt Crisafulli said.

While Edo officially retired in December 2018, his handler, Cpl. Dale Trotter, accepted a certificate from the commissioners on his K-9 companion’s behalf.

“My time as a canine officer was the most rewarding and fun time that I had in my career,” Trotter said after the meeting.

Trotter said Edo, a 10-year-old German shepherd, has worked with the sheriff’s office since 2012, after ar-

riving from Tarheel Canine Training in Sanford, North Carolina.

He went through training courses at Dover Air Force Base, Wor-Wic Community College, as well as the Pittsville-based obedience school, Delmarva K9 LLC.

Trotter said Edo completed an Alcohol Tobacco Firearms course, and was certified as an explosive detection canine by the Maryland State Police.

“Edo has completed explosive scans throughout Delmarva most notably during the bomb threat at the Salisbury Mall in 2013 and the countywide bomb threat of our public schools a few years ago,” Trotter said. “Edo has served the citizens of all of Delmarva.”

Additionally, Trotter said Edo assisted in the arrest of six people throughout his tenure, despite a leg injury in 2017.

“Edo is proud of his service to the citizens, either by way of emergencies

or his time spent providing demonstrations to area organizations and businesses,” Trotter said.

The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office has seven K-9 officers.

Since his retirement, Edo has been “able to just be a dog” while living with Trotter and his wife, Lori.

Edo was rewarded with a Kong dog toy on the job, and he got the same treatment at home, often playing with a Kong bone “that he keeps as a toy constantly.”

However, Trotter said the expects to leave in about two to three months to participate in “full time missions in Guatemala,” and “he will live with a co-worker from the sheriff’s office.”