Behind the Badge
The excited yips and yaps came from the back of the council chambers.
“It sounds like it’s time for our first presentation,” Fullerton Mayor Greg Sebourn said.
Fullerton Police Chief Dan Hughes, preparing to talk about the retiring officer, cracked:
“Apparently somebody’s got a hot dog in their pocket.”
The Fullerton City Council on Tuesday got a chance to honor an officer who is retiring after seven years on the job:
Blitz, a K9 who racked up an impressive resume while serving as a trusted partner to longtime K9 Officer James Boline.
Fullerton Police Chief Dan Hughes, left, K9 officers Cpl. Jonathan Miller and Officer James Boline and Mayor Greg Sebourn honor Blitz, a Fullerton K9, during his retirement ceremony Tuesday. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
During his law enforcement career, the 9-year-old German shepherd logged 70 drug finds for a total of more than 21 pounds of seized narcotics, Hughes said.
Blitz also made eight felony apprehensions and caused more than 60 suspects on the run or in hiding to surrender — a statistic that particularly impressed Hughes.
“He doesn’t want to retire, actually,” Hughes said of Blitz, who will spend the rest of his years with Boline and his family.
One of Blitz’s most notable busts, for which he and Boline were awarded the 2009 American Legion Medal of Bravery, was the pursuit and apprehension of an armed assault and robbery suspect.
Blitz, a K9 for the Fullerton PD, eyes a bone tossed by Fullerton Police Chief Dan Hughes, left, to Blitz’s partner, Officer James Boline, right.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Outside of chasing down bad guys, Blitz endured himself to the Fullerton community through appearances at such events as the Special Olympics, Tip A Cop and at demonstrations for the Fullerton Citizen’s Academy and numerous other groups.
Several members of the Fullerton Police K9 Association attended the brief ceremony Aug. 18 at the start of the Fullerton City Council meeting, as did the FPD’s three other K9 officers and two police dogs.
New FPD K9 Officer Scott Flynn recently began training with Blitz’s replacement, a 14-month-old Belgian Malinois whose name, based on an ongoing naming contest that ends soon, likely will be either Jax or Thor.
Those are the leading names in a contest that was made open to the public, Sgt. Kathryn Hamel said.
Flynn and his K9 will join FPD K9 Officers Tim Haid and Jonathan Miller and their four-legged partners, Rotar and Mueller, respectively (click here to read about the FPD’s new incoming K9).
“Thank you for leading that beautiful, beautiful dog for seven years,” Sebourn told Boline.
“Thank you,” Boline responded.
Members of the FPD pitched in to create a shadowbox for Boline and Blitz, who also was presented with a treat at the meeting that he quickly proceeded to devour.
Blitz also received a trophy for his seven years of service.
“Blitz bravely served our community for the past seven years, and we wish him well in retirement,” Hamel said.
K9 Officer James Boline of the Fullerton PD and his partner Blitz, center, gather with other K9 officers and their dogs from various police departments in front of Fullerton City Hall to honor Blitz, who retired.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
K9 Officer James Boline of the Fullerton PD and his partner Blitz.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
