The Roanoke Rapids Police Department retired its canine officer Storm Tuesday and city council approved allowing his handler, Captain Jamie Hardy, to keep him.
Chief Bobby Martin told council Storm has “faithfully served the city for eight and a half years and has recently been retired.”
It is tradition for retired service animals to be given to their handlers.
The resolution council approved says retired canines can’t be adopted to private citizens because of their specialized training for police situations. “ … The mayor and city council … wish to express its great appreciation to K-9 Storm for his service, loyalty and dedication to the city of Roanoke Rapids.”
Hardy said Storm’s approximate career statistics are as follows:
46 tracks completed with the location of one missing child; one armed robbery suspect; one breaking and entering suspect; one murder suspect located and four jump and run suspects located. The murder suspect located was one charged in the death of Dr. Nancy Alford in 2018.
Drugs seized
Marijuana - 411 grams
Cocaine - 466 grams
Meth - 250 grams
Heroin - 250 grams
Storm and Hardy were also chosen to participate in the 2019 Vested Interest in K9s calendar.
Blotter entry
Tuesday around 1:30 p.m., Master Officer J. Horne responded to the area of PetSense about a woman in a car who appeared to be close to passing out, Martin said.
The caller gave a description and said a small child was in the car.
Horne noticed the woman driving across the parking area quickly and turning onto Highway 158. He followed the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop to check on the welfare of the woman, later identified as Leanne Martin, 41, of Roanoke Rapids, and the child.
He recognized Ms. Martin as someone with whom he had a previous encounter.
He noticed several indicators of driving under the influence of an impairing substance. The child was unrestrained in the front seat.
Horne continued investigating what he believed was an impaired driver. Sergeant R. Cross assisted.
Ms. Martin was taken before a magistrate and was charged with DWI and misdemeanor child abuse.
She received a $4,000 bond and September 18 court date.
Social services was notified about the child.
