COUNTY POLICE DOG WITH A NOSE FOR DRUGS IS RETIRING

Marco's seven-year police career started off shaky when he bit his partner
the first day they met.

But the Belgian Malinois went on to distinguish himself with dogged work
for the St. Louis County Police Department, using his canine nose to help
seize more than $1.5 million worth of drugs and arrest more than 2,000
suspects.

As Marco retired this week, he left the force best of friends with his
handler, Officer Joe Brandt.

"He is very protective," Brandt said. "He won't bite unless he thinks
someone is trying to hurt me."

Fellow officers wished Marco well Monday during a retirement party at the
police substation on Lemay Ferry Road in south St. Louis County.

Still wearing a badge on a chain around his neck, Marco spent most of the
afternoon begging for a piece of his own retirement cake - shaped like a
bone. Icing on his nose was evidence of success.

"That dog has been a reflection of his handler," said Capt. Terry Roberds.
"Joe Brandt is one of the hardest-working officers on the job."

Marco was born in the Netherlands and trained in Summerset, Texas, to
become a drug dog.

Brandt has long since healed from the bite of his over-anxious partner,
suffered early in their training together about five years ago.

"He's calmed down a lot since then," the officer said.

The two spent most shifts sniffing lockers at high schools and searching
vehicles stopped for traffic violations.

Brandt said Marco's nose led the pair to extraordinary arrests.

About four years ago, Marco found about 30 pieces of crack cocaine in the
door of a vehicle.

Brandt and other officers spent 45 minutes tearing apart the door to find
the well-hidden drugs.

"I never would have known about the drugs if it wasn't for Marco," Brandt said.

Marco will spend his days lounging around the house and playing in the yard
as a permanent member - and protector - of the Brandt household.

Brandt has brought home a new four-legged partner, a Belgian Malinois named
Boyka.

The pair will spend the next five weeks bonding and training.

In addition to sniffing drugs, Boyka is trained to search a building for a
hiding suspect and control unruly crowds with his bark.