Retirement ceremony set for K-9 officer

After 17 years of service, Ares the police dog will officially retire Tuesday.

The retirement ceremony will take place during the Del Rey Oaks City Council meeting starting at 6:00 p.m..

According to Jerry Edelen, mayor of Del Rey Oaks, Ares has been deployed over 65 times in arrest warrants and narcotics sweeps. He and his handler also worked with the U.S. Secret Service as part of a Vice Presidential detail.

“It’s going to be very emotional,” said Edelen. “There won’t be a dry eye in the place.”

During the retirement ceremony, Ares will be presented with a city proclamation and Monterey County Emergency Dispatch will issue a 10-7 “off duty” radio call.