Overview:
The Athol Police is searching for a new K-9 officer following the retirement of Gronk, a German shepherd who assisted in drug detection, apprehensions and searches during his years with the department The American Legion is raising funds to cover the cost of the new dog, training, and equipment, and Officer Erick Fredette has been selected as the new K-9 handler.
ATHOL – The search is on for the Athol Police Department’s newest four-legged officer following the retirement of Gronk in February.
Gronk, a German shepherd who joined the department in 2017, assisted in apprehensions, drug detection and searches, according to Sgt. Craig Deveneau, the dog’s former handler. Deveneau said Gronk also became a familiar presence in the community, attending events and visiting with children and seniors.
“The biggest thing that stood out to me was how he was always making kids smile,” he said.
Gronk came to the Athol Police through a grant from the Stanton Foundation, which supports agencies starting or rebuilding K-9 programs. The department had previously disbanded its K-9 unit, but later brought it back, Deveneau said.
Police Chief Jarrett Mousseau said Gronk had reached an appropriate age to retire.
“At 10, for a German shepherd, especially a working dog, that’s kind of getting up there,” Mousseau said. “I also wanted him to be able to retire and enjoy some life because he’s done such a service for us.”
Gronk will stay with Deveneau in retirement after years of working together.
“It’s a bond that you can’t even describe,” said Deveneau. “That dog really doesn’t let you out of his sight for anything.”
He emphasized that having a K-9 available is a critical advantage in emergency situations.
“Having that tool available when you need it is incredible, because that dog can do a lot more than several officers can do when it comes to searching an area, searching a building, looking for somebody,” he said.
Pictured here (from left) are GFA Federal Credit Union President and CEO Mark Hettinger; Scott Hume, K9 Fundraiser co-chair and Athol American Legion Post 102 Adjutant; Athol Police K-9 Officer Eric Fredette; Brian Dodge, K9 Fundraiser co-chair and Athol American Legion Post 102 Commander; GFA Federal Credit Union SVP/Chief Member Experience Officer Lisett Comeau-Legrand; GFA Federal Credit Union VP/Director of Marketing Christal Brown and Athol Police Chief Jarret Mousseau. CONTRIBUTED
Scott Hume of the Athol American Legion is leading fundraising efforts for the department’s next K-9, and recalled a time when Gronk helped locate a missing child.
“Gronk was able to find the child within like five minutes, just having an article of clothing,” Hume said.
The Legion is organizing events such as bingo, raffles and community dinners and reaching out to local businesses. Hume said the goal is to raise about $16,000 to cover the cost of the dog, training and equipment.
Hume said the effort has received strong community support so far, with donations from residents, businesses and local organizations, and about half the money needed has been raised.
As those efforts continue, Mousseau said the department is preparing to move forward with the next phase of the K-9 program. He said Officer Erick Fredette was selected as the department’s new K-9 handler based on his interest in the program.
“He’s always helped out with the K-9 program…and he’s always been willing to put that extra work in and learn about it,” Mousseau said.
The department has not yet selected a new canine, but Mousseau said the process will involve working with the Boston Police K-9 Academy, where dogs are evaluated and paired with handlers.
“They’re gonna meet Erick Fredette and see his personality,” said Mousseau. “The dogs are around a year old, and they try to pair them up accordingly and go from there,”
Once the dog is selected, Fredette will train alongside the new K-9 through a 12-week academy, followed by additional narcotics training and certification requirements.