Mansfield City Council Honors K-9 Mekel for Six Years of Dedicated Service

Mansfield City Council recently honored K-9 Mekel for his six years of dedicated service to the community.

 

During his tenure, Mekel, a Czech German Shepherd, played a pivotal role in numerous law enforcement operations, including tracking suspects and locating missing individuals.

 

One notable incident involved Mekel and his handler, Officer Jacob Rietschlin, responding to a case where a man threatened harm to others and himself.

 

Upon arrival, they found the suspect concealed under a blanket.

 

When commanded to apprehend, Mekel enthusiastically engaged with the blanket, prompting the suspect to surrender without further incident.

 

Reflecting on their partnership, Officer Rietschlin expressed, "Retiring Mekel is by far one of the hardest things I've ever done in my career."

 

He added, "These dogs make you feel 10-feet tall and bulletproof. You could have one of the worst days in the world, but you've got your pup behind you. He has your back."

 

Mekel's contributions extended beyond suspect apprehension.

 

He successfully tracked and located at least nine fleeing suspects, with some pursuits covering over a mile.

 

Additionally, he was instrumental in finding four missing children and two elderly individuals who had wandered off.

 

His drug detection skills also led to the arrest of a suspected drug dealer.

 

As Mekel transitions into retirement, he will reside with Officer Rietschlin and his family, enjoying a well-deserved period of rest and relaxation.

 

The community extends its heartfelt gratitude to Mekel for his unwavering service and dedication to public safety.