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Died 7/27/17
Handler – Officers Chris Atwood and Rusty Jones
K9 Odin passes away
A memorial service has been planned for Odin, the Troutman Police Department K9 dog that died of cancer Wednesday. The memorial and burial of Odin’s ashes will be held at 5 p.m. on Monday at the Troutman Police Department. Odin was a German Shepherd donated to the department in 2009. He was Troutman’s second K-9 unit. Odin and his handlers—officers Chris Atwood and Rusty Jones—went everywhere together, according to Troutman Police Chief Matthew Selves. Jones was Odin’s handler from 2008 to 2011, then again in 2017 until Odin’s death. “You couldn’t ask for a better partner,” Jones said. “I’ve had a couple canines during my career, and he was my favorite by far.” Odin worked 12-hour night shifts with his handlers, then went home with them to eat, sleep and keep them company. “He was like a pet at home and a partner at work,” said Atwood, Odin’s handler from 2012 to 2016. At work, Jones said Odin excelled at every job, from narcotics detection to tracking. Odin built a reputation with neighboring police departments, Jones said. “Everyone is coping with the loss, but the job has to be done,” Selves said. “Odin was like family with his handlers, the department and all the town employees.” “He was too young,” Jones said. Troutman still has one K9 unit, a German Shepherd named Lord.
