MACOMB, IL – The Macomb Police Department held a retirement ceremony for K9 Unit Mac at the department in Macomb on Friday, February 16th.
Mac, a German Shepherd acquired from a breeder in Hungary, joined the Macomb Police Department in September 2019 after completing training with his handler and partner, Officer Nick Severs. The department’s acquisition of Mac was made possible through the generous donations made by in Macomb community, including a sizeable donation by Lavern “Mac” McEntire and his late wife, Nora McEntire, and Mac received his name in honor of their contribution.
During their nearly 5 years working together, Mac and Severs have responded to calls hundreds of times with a multitude of illegal narcotics being located and seized. They have also done countless demonstrations for Macomb youth at local school and park functions.
During the ceremony, Severs reflected on rigorous training it took for he and Mac went through, “We spent a lot of time together, a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. These dogs aren’t the way that they are just because they’re bred that way. They’re incredible tools, it takes a lot of time and effort; I’ve got the scars to show it.”
Ahead of Mac’s retirement, a replacement was located in K9 unit Jax, who has been trained with his handler Officer Aric Cremer, and Jax and Cremer are ready to continue the outstanding legacy of the Macomb K9 program.
