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Bluffton's newest officer lends a helping paw in fight against crime

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When Rebecca Whitney retired from a Florida police department to join her husband who had found a job in Bluffton, it also meant an early and reluctant retirement for her partner of five years.

Blade, an 83-pound German shepherd police dog, and Whitney moved to Bluffton, and neither liked being away from their beat.

Then, Whitney was hired as a patrol officer at the Bluffton Police Department. But Blade still was unhappy.

The dog she had trained as a puppy and worked with on the streets of Plant City, Fla., whined whenever she left the house, an indication he wasn't ready for retirement, either.

Now, Blade, too, has been hired by the department, becoming its first canine badge-wearer.

He'll be used to sniff out drugs, other evidence and suspects. He's trained to take down suspects and will even pull them out of thick brush, if necessary.

But above all, he's trained to protect his partner and other police officers, and will sometimes be the first to enter a crime scene if it's unclear whether a suspect still is inside.

"Not that I want to replace him, but I know at any time Blade could take a bullet for me or any other officer," Whitney said. "And he will."

The Police Department will continue to request the use of dogs owned by the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office, which has a robust K-9 unit of Belgian malinois, bloodhounds and a black Labrador retriever, said Police Chief David McAllister.

"Blade really will be a unique opportunity for the town," he said, noting that the department essentially got his services for free.

"This dog's not only going to be a crime-fighter, but I also think this dog will help break down barriers in the community. He'll go to schools and day-cares along with an officer to help explain what police officers do."

Even though he's trained to be fierce, he's quite playful. Behind the police station Monday evening, officers tugged his chew toy and scratched his back.

"I put all the time and work into him," said Whitney, who has trained law enforcement dogs for 17 years. "We have such a close bond. ... We're both used to each other's quirks. He's just as headstrong as I am."

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