K9 Knox retired

The Kernersville Police Department (KPD) has officially retired eight-and-a-half-year-old K9 Knox, who has been with the department for over seven years.
Knox’s only handler during his time at the department is KPD Officer Brandon Wemlinger. Knox will live out the remainder of his retirement with Wemlinger.
Knox is a male Belgian Malinois and Shepherd mix and was born in Hungary. He is trained to detect narcotics, search and locate articles and evidence, conduct building searches, human tracking, tracking lost objects and criminal apprehension. Wemlinger explained that he could basically do anything except detect bombs. He was also trained in obedience.
Wemlinger received Knox when he was only a year-and four-months-old during a six-week handler school at Southern Police Canine. After his initial training, he was released to Wemlinger to train 16-20 hours a month to help improve his skills for his in service to the KPD community. Knox holds a North Carolina Police Dog Association (NCPDA) certificate that is renewed yearly.
Knox first joined the KPD in April 2016 and officially retired on Friday, July 1.
Wemlinger explained that the retirement is “due to his age and to help him have some time to act like a dog and enjoy his retirement. With working dogs, there is a lot put on them, so hopefully he can enjoy some time in his kennel and doing whatever.”
Since Knox’s retirement, Wemlinger has applied for and been granted another K9 position and he will return to K9 school in October of this year. Once he has trained with his new K9, he will then return to the KPD.
“K9 Knox aided in the seizure of 1,562 grams of narcotics valued at over $52,000.00 and the apprehension of 21 suspects during his 7 years of service,” said a statement from the Town of Kernersville.
Wemlinger explained that ever since he received Knox, they would work night shifts together and he would be used up to eight times a shift depending on what was needed of them at that time.
“He was used a lot and had other opportunities where we could use him. He was definitely a great tool and protector for myself and the Kernersville Police Department over the years,” he said.
Wemlinger has been with the KPD since fall of 2015. He was with the Winston-Salem Police Department from 2009 until his time at the KPD.