The legalization of marijuana in Ohio has forced the early retirement of its K9 officer.
Because of Ohio’s passage of Issue 2 that legalized marijuana, the Bellefontaine Police Department must bid farewell to one of its most dedicated members, K9 Officer Boodik.
Serving faithfully alongside his handler Officer Jerrod Hostetler since 2019, Boodik’s early retirement marks the end of a decorated career in law enforcement.
“The early retirement of K9 Boodik stems from Issue 2 and the legalization of marijuana in the State of Ohio, as marijuana was one of the odors K9 Boodik was imprinted to detect,” Police Chief Chris Marlow reported.
As a dual-purpose patrol and narcotics canine, K9 Boodik played an important role in numerous operations, both within Bellefontaine and across neighboring jurisdictions.
Known more for his unwavering work ethic rather than his sociability, Boodik proved himself a valuable asset in the fight against crime.
“Although Boodik was not known for being friendly he was known for being a great working dog,” the police chief said.
Throughout his tenure, Boodik participated in hundreds of drug and firearm seizures, and a total of 49 suspect apprehensions, earning accolades for his contributions to the community’s safety.
Notably, Boodik and Officer Hostetler received the Bellefontaine Police Department’s Medal of Merit for their bravery during an incident that occurred in March 2021.
Responding to an officer’s assault during a drug interdiction stop, K9 Boodik and his handler swiftly subdued a violent suspect, preventing further harm.
In that incident, the responding officer had been knocked unconscious and Officers Hostetler and Boodik arrived to find the suspect fleeing the scene. Boodik was remotely deployed and, along with his handler, apprehended the suspect who was violently combative, bringing him under control.
The process is already underway to find Boodik’s replacement.
“Officer Hostetler will continue in his service as a canine handler for the agency and will begin training with a new K9 partner next week,” Chief Marlow said.
Still, the retirement of K9 Boodik underscores the evolving landscape of law enforcement in Ohio. With marijuana legalization altering the nature of policing,
Boodik’s specialized training in detecting marijuana was not compatible with the new legislation.
Nevertheless, the Bellefontaine Police Department expresses profound gratitude to K9 Boodik for his dedication and contributions to public safety.
“The Bellefontaine Police Department thanks K9 Boodik for his dedicated service. We are forever grateful for your bravery, dedication to hunting evil, and for keeping your handler and other officers safe over the past four years,” Chief Marlow concluded.