Ikon, an 8-year veteran of the Jasper Police Department, officially retired Tuesday after the Jasper City Council voted unanimously to transform ownership of the 11-year-old German Shepherd to its owner, Lt. Mitch Jones.
Ikon was not at Tuesday’s council meeting, but Jones was on hand to accept a plaque from the city honoring the work of the K-9 officer.
“Ikon has served the City for over 8 years and will be greatly missed,” Police Chief J.C. Poe said. “Because of Ikon’s service we have be able to remove a tremendous amount of illegal narcotics from the streets of Jasper. I wish Ikon a happy and enjoyable retirement.”
Mayor David O’Mary also praised Ikon for the role he has played at JPD.
“If you look back through the history of America, it’s a rich history of animals helping us get our work done,” O’Mary said “We’ve had the good fortune of having an outstanding K-9, Ikon, help us under the supervision of Lt. Jones. He has worked his way to an easier life.”
In other action from the meeting concerning the police department, the council approved a budget amendment that included the purchase of bulletproof vests.
Exercise equipment from the department’s weight room was also declared as surplus. The weight room was added to the department several years ago. Poe said only a few officers were making use of the room.
“That space can be used for another purpose,” he said. “Most officers work out other places. If we had a lot of use, it would be different, but it’s just not being used.”
Poe asked that the city consider donating the equipment to Camp Mitnick, a boot camp wilderness program in Walker County meant to divert boys ages 12-17 with delinquent offenses from serving time with the Alabama Department of Youth Services (DYS).
In other action, the council:
- Approved an event permit for the Downtown Throwdown disc golf tournament on Oct. 22.
- Reappointed Bert Hendrix to the medical clinic board.
- Set cost for a nuisance abatement for a structure that was on South Walston Bridge Road.
- Approves the redistricting map prepared by Alabama State University.
