After years of chasing suspects, sniffing out trouble, and occasionally catching the zoomies, K9 Kilo is hanging up his leash.
The city of Newport and its police department honored K9 Kilo and his handler, Newport Police Officer Chris Gallichio, at the Sept. 15 meeting with the Honorable Service Medal for Kilo’s seven years of service and Gallichio’s 24 years. Kilo was Gallichio’s third and final K9.
“He is well known to be one of the best street cops that’s ever been in Newport,” Newport Police Chief Chris Fangman said.
There is an awards committee in Newport, and to receive an award, one must be nominated. The awards committee nominated Kilo to receive the Honorable Service Medal. Kilo officially retired on July 1.
“These are not given up very often, and we’re very honored that Kilo is here in retirement to come back and see us so we can honor him with the award,” Newport Police Chief Chris Fangman said.
Newport Police Sergeant Chris White oversees the department’s K9 program. He spoke on Monday about Gallichio and the work he has put into all three of his dogs, Valko, Bax, and now Kilo.
“When you sign up to be a canine officer, the whole level of responsibility changes,” White said.
He said that officers who decide to move to various divisions throughout their career are often paired with teams or individuals with whom they can communicate effectively, but with canine handlers, their partners bark.
“Most officers can hang up their duty belts at the end of their shift and begin their off days,” White said. “Handlers go home, often covered in dog hair and slobber. Their partners still expect to get fed when they get home. They need attention, and the case of the zoomies, you never know when that’s going to kick in, and that’s got to be dealt with accordingly.”
White said being a K9 handler isn’t just an assignment, it’s a way of life. It takes patience and effort, requiring trust to be built between the handler and the dog.
“To build three dogs and train them yourself, select them yourself, and build them into the assets of the department that Gallichio was able to do is nothing short of what it takes perseverance, consistency, and the timeless drive to not accept anything but excellence,” Gallichio said.
