K9 Retires From Royal Oak Police Department

ROYAL OAK, MI — A very important officer is retiring from the Royal Oak Police Department and he's solidified quite a legacy for himself around town. Royal Oak Police announce the retirement of canine officer Ryker. Ryker is retiring after seven years of service to Royal Oak.

His career began with the Royal Oak Police in 2012 with his handler, Officer Richard Chipman.

Chipman and his partner, Ryker, have been a very productive team, police officials said. During their very first night together, Chipman and Ryker tracked a subject wanted for questioning for homicide out of the city of Detroit.

Throughout Ryker’s dedicated years of service, he successfully tracked and apprehended many suspects. Some of his many highlights included assisting with the capture of a subject breaking into several businesses on New Year’s Eve, locating a suicidal person who fled during transport to the hospital, and locating a larceny subject during a foot pursuit.

Ryker is also credited with the discovery of 14 kilos of heroin and over a million dollars while assisting a nearby law enforcement agency.

Officer Chipman and Ryker participated in many community events, neighborhood block parties, and school events in the City of Royal Oak. One of Officer Chipman and Ryker’s favorite events is reading the well-known canine book “Officer Buckle and Gloria” to children at the library. Ryker was always popular with the Citizens Police Academy during his canine demonstration.

Ryker will enjoy his well-deserved retirement years with Officer Chipman and his family.

Ryker will be replaced by a new canine undergoing training.