DARLINGTON — The Darlington Police Department bid goodbye May 17 to K-9 Kilo after 10 years of service and the next day welcomed Kilo’s replacement, Ace.

Officer Nick Mantsch traveled to Southern Police Canine, Inc. in North Carolina in April to start his six weeks of training with the dog.

The training was adjusted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We were kept on-site more instead of going out. It was a benefit because we spent more time with the dogs and focused on the training even more. It wasn’t a bad thing but it was interesting,” Mantsch said.

Ace is a 1-year-old German Shepherd-Malinois mix. Both he and Mantsch have been learning a lot since returning to Wisconsin.

“It’s been a big learning experience for sure, but still a lot of fun,” Mantsch said. The first weekend on the job, Mantsch said Ace already earned his keep by locating illegal drugs. 

A bond is already forming between the two.

“I can tell by the way he lights up when he sees me. We are pretty close already. It is cool to see him react when I come out in uniform and get ready for work,” Mantsch said. Ace has learned Mantsch’s routine before work and is all ready for the day when the squad car is started.

The police department’s previous K-9, Kilo, came on board in 2010 and was partnered with Officer Ben Conway starting in 2012. The average career for a K-9 in the field is five to seven years.

“(Kilo’s) health is starting to show and he has declined a bit,” Conway said.

But that doesn’t mean Kilo isn’t still a “good boy.” Now that Kilo is no longer a working dog, he gets spoiled by Conway, Conway’s wife Keltie and their son Maddux.

“Now he gets treats, peanut butter or whatever he wants,” Conway said.

But Kilo still knows the difference between a squad car and regular cars.

“Even now, if you drive by in the squad car past my house, he will start barking just from seeing the police car,” Conway said. Conway is continuing in his regular duties as a Darlington officer, without his K-9 companion.