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Died – 2/9/16
Handler – Sgt. Mike Hickman
Uhrichsville says goodbye to K-9 officer Hans
A Uhrichsville K-9 officer says he feels like “a piece of my heart’s missing” following the death Tuesday of his former partner Hans, a retired law enforcement dog.
“He was a very, very social dog,” said Sgt. Mike Hickman, who worked with Hans from 2009 to 2015. “He was energetic and loved working and loved children.” Hans was diagnosed with multiple myeloma cancer in December 2014. At that time, Hickman posted on the Uhrichsville Police Department K-9 Unit Facebook page, “The vet advised that Hans can continue to work if he is up to it, however his progress will more than likely continue to decline from this point forward. Hans was prescribed medication for pain, if needed. “With that said, Hans will continue to hit the streets of Uhrichsville as long as he can comfortably do it.” Hans retired in February 2015, but continued to live with the Hickman family until his death. “My whole family is upset,” the sergeant said Wednesday. The dog was a dual-purpose canine who was trained for narcotics detection and patrol work. Hickman said Hans was involved in hundreds of drug finds. The dog also accompanied Hickman on visits to schools in the Twin Cities. Hickman began working with his current partner, K-9 Recon, when Hans retired last year. No services are planned for Hans. Uhrich-Hostettler English Funeral Home in Uhrichsville will take care of cremation, and Hans will be buried at a cemetery in Canton. On Tuesday evening, Hickman posted a photo of himself and Hans taken shortly before the dog died. “This has to be the hardest thing that I have done,” Hickman wrote. “I knew this day was coming, but certainly was not ready for it tonight. This picture was taken a couple (of) minutes before Hans crossed over the rainbow bridge. I’m going to miss you so much Hans.”
