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Died – 9/26/18
Handler – Officer Pablo Torres
Retired Kenosha police dog Chico dies
Chico, the police dog that helped reinstate the Kenosha Police Department K-9 program before retiring in 2016, died recently. Kenosha Police was without a K-9 program for 15 years when the decision was made to reinstate the program. Chico was imported from the Netherlands and then purchased from a Pennsylvania kennel specializing in police service dogs. Detective Peter Deates, president of the Kenosha Professional Police Association, said Chico died Sept. 26 of a canine disease called bloat. Because of the dog’s age — he was nearly 12 — a veterinarian said he had poor chances of recovering from surgery, Deates said. A decision was made to euthanize him. Chico was purchased in July 2008 and matched with his handler, Officer Pablo Torres. On the dog’s first day on the job in December 2008 he alerted police to a vehicle containing cocaine valued at $13,000. Deates said during the years he was active with the department, Chico was involved in nine criminal apprehensions and recovered evidence, including weapons, during searches. In January 2009, Chico sniffed out more than 2.5 pounds of heroin worth over $200,000. “Chico basically resurrected the K-9 program here,” Deates said, adding the dog became well-known in the community through frequent demonstrations at schools, clubs and community events. “Chico and Pablo were the face of the K-9 program, and they did so many demonstrations over a 10-year period.” Torres later became a controversial figure in the community when he was involved in two on-duty shootings, one fatal. The shootings were ruled justified. He was promoted to detective in 2016, and Chico retired, remaining with Torres’ family after retirement. “He’s your partner, and once he retires he stays with you as your family dog,” Deates said. Torres now works with another K-9, Manny, using the dog primarily for drug searches as a detective, Deates said.
