Medina approves selling K9 to police officer, handler for $1

File photo: Medina police officer Jacob Reeves is shown in June 2020 when he and the department’s new K9, Phoenix, began a 14-week training program together before the dog went into service for the department.

MEDINA – The Village Board has agreed to sell the Medina Police Department’s K9 for $1 to Jacob Reeves, a police officer and the K9’s handler.

Reeves teamed with Phoenix, a Belgian Malinois, for nearly five years. Phoenix worked his last shift on Wednesday. The board as part of the 2025-26 budget voted to end the K9 program with the police department, citing costs. The K9 sees service outside the village and board members felt village taxpayers shouldn’t bear the full cost, especially with overtime for the K9 team.

The board also voted to end having two Medina police officers work in the school district as resource officers. Those officers will return full-time to the MPD for road patrol and other work within the department.

The board and Reeves always had the understanding he could buy the dog for $1 at the end of Phoenix’s service, which officially will be on May 31. Board members said that agreement was in his contract and is similar to what most police departments do when a K9 goes out of service.

The board last week also said any unspent donations towards the K9 program will be refunded after May 31. The board will wait until after May 31 in case there are any unexpected vet bills or other expenses.