Retirement Ends Chicco's 9-year Canine Career

Chicco and his handler, Sr. Deputy Skip Lumley in 2001 Photo: Marion County Sherrif's Office

(SALEM, Ore.) - After nine years of public service and hundreds of "apprehensions", Marion County Sheriff's Canine, Chicco is retiring.

His last work day was earlier this month. Chicco is well-known in Marion County; he's on a first-name basis with many of the criminals who have crossed his path. He was assigned to his handler, Sr. Deputy Skip Lumley in 2001 after arriving from Germany at age 4. Chicco is the last of the pure German Shepherds on the Canine Team for the Sheriff's Office. The team now employs Belgian Malinois and Labrador Retrievers.

Like the work schedule of most law enforcement officers, Chicco's varied from day to day. He never knew if he'd be asked to track a suspect, discover some hidden narcotics or participate in a community event. We're sure if you asked him, his best assignment was the annual National Night Out celebration in Gates. Once he'd completed his canine demonstration, they always cooked him his own hamburger!

It would difficult to identify Chicco's most significant case, but he once ended up rescuing two suspects whom he originally was pursuing. To avoid capture, they'd secreted themselves in a creek filled with cold water. Ultimately they began to suffer from hypothermia and as a result of Chicco's ability to track them; they were pulled from the creek, treated for exposure and then booked into jail.

Chicco also assisted other law enforcement agencies. He was once tasked to track the scent of a "home invasion" robber in Polk County. In spite of the efforts of officers to start him on the track, Chicco determined that no track ever existed. Detectives eventually deemed the initial report false. Chicco's work lead to the arrest and conviction of the "victim" for filing a false police report, and the saving of many Detective hours that weren't spent chasing false leads.

Deputy Lumley commented "Of all the dogs that I have worked, Chicco's scenting ability was the most incredible I've seen. His presence on the Canine team will be missed. Chicco had a great personality; he was a good partner and my friend"

Chicco has been adopted by Sr. Deputy Lumley. He plans to spend his retirement relaxing and spending time living on a farm.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office Canine team is totally funded by donations. If you'd like to make a tax-deductible contribution, go to our website: www.co.marion.or.us/SO/EnforcementDivision/k9.htm

Marion County Sheriff's Office