Chief Linane Gets Pooch Smooch

Last night, both Officer Brian Schopp and his dog Akron retired from the Elburn Police Department. Akron served the Elburn Police Department for 6 years, and Officer Schopp served as a part-time police officer for over 11 years.

My favorite story about Akron goes like this. Several years ago, after a bar fight in Virgil, the perpetrators had run off to hide in an adjoining corn field. When the county officers dispatched to the scene, they radioed Elburn to see if Akron was available. The offenders hiding in the corn rows could hear Akron's barking coming across on the police radio. That was enough for them right there, and they sulked out of the field to be placed into custody. They were willing to keep hiding from "human" police officers, but they knew instinctively that their "goose was cooked" when the "canine" officer arrived.

So, Akron helped make an arrest in Virgil just by barking into a radio. Now that's efficient police work.

We all wish Brian and Akron the very best with their future plans. Brian is still going to be around Elburn working part-time with our local Fire District. Maybe they'll let Akron ride on the fire trucks over there. He's not your typical spotted dalmatian, but he does have a distinguished resume of faithful community service under his collar already.

To Akron, I ask "Who's a good boy?"

To Brian, I say "Thanks for everything."