Dewey Beach’s newest police officer loves to play ball

Dewey Beach Mayor Bill Stevens administered the oath of office at the Nov. 15 town council meeting to the newest member of the police department, then bent down and scratched the recipient behind the ears.

That drew a tail wag from Odin, a 3-year-old German shepherd who began work three weeks earlier as the police department’s newest K-9.

Odin was led into the monthly meeting on a leash by his handler, Cpl. Dylan Ebke. The German shepherd is trained to use scent to detect illegal drugs and help find missing people.

“We’ll be out and about in town, so feel free to come say hi,” Ebke said. 

The police department received a grant last year to buy and train a K-9 named Jasper, but the dog had medical problems that limited his ability to fill a role with the department. Jasper was retired and allowed to remain with Ebke.   

The department bought Odin to take Jasper’s position.

Police Chief Constance Speake said Monday that the department spent $12,000, which  included the cost of the dog, Odin’s initial training and three weeks of training with Ebke at Tarheel Canine to achieve certification. 

Ebke gave a few biographical details about Odin at the council meeting, noting the dog’s birthday is Nov. 25.

“He loves to play ball,” Ebke added. “Ball is life for him. He’ll do anything for ball.”