JUST THE FACTS

January 9, 2026 Volume 17 Issue 2

K9 Retirement- Vegas turns in his badge

Canine Vegas is a German Shepherd who was born on February 20, 2018, in Slovakia. He arrived in the United States in August of 2019 and was selected to serve with the Owatonna Police Department. In September 2019, Vegas began his initial K9 training alongside his handler, Officer Casey Martin, in Buffalo, Minnesota. Like many European police canines, Vegas arrived with little to no prior formal training. His foundation work began with basic obedience commands such as sit and down, quickly progressing into patrol and detection work. After approximately two and a half months of training, Vegas and Officer Martin successfully certified and immediately began working the road. The team went on to certify annually throughout Vegas’s career.

Vegas has served the Owatonna Police Department as a dual-purpose police K9, trained and certified in both criminal apprehension and narcotics detection. From the time he began active duty through his retirement, Vegas was deployed 212 times, averaging over three deployments per month once he began regular patrol operations. These deployments included approximately 61 building searches, 28 evidence searches, and 38 tracking deployments. An additional 85 deployments involved non-search-related duties such as public demonstrations, calling out suspects during high-risk traffic stops, perimeter security, and de-escalation efforts. Over the course of his career, Vegas is credited with assisting in 53 arrests, including 7 criminal apprehensions and 4 additional apprehensions that were resolved without the need for any physical apprehension.

Of his apprehensions, most involved felony-level crimes against persons, highlighting the seriousness and impact of his work. In his narcotics detection career, Vegas was responsible for several significant finds, more notably the detection of approximately three pounds of methamphetamine concealed within a vehicle in Owatonna. Changes in drug laws over the final third of his career resulted in fewer documented narcotics-related statistics during that period, though Vegas’s effectiveness and operational value remained consistent.

Throughout his service, Vegas regularly assisted neighboring agencies, demonstrating his reliability and value beyond his home department. These agencies included the Minnesota State Patrol, Faribault Police Department, Rice County Sheriff’s Office, Albert Lea Police Department, Steele County Sheriff’s Office, Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, New Richland Police Department, Blooming Prairie Police Department, Waseca County Sheriff’s Office, Waseca Police Department, and the South-Central Drug Investigation Unit / SWAT. His willingness and ability to work seamlessly with multiple agencies has made him a trusted regional asset.

Beyond his measurable achievements, Vegas is known for his fun, energetic, and highly social personality. He consistently demonstrated a strong drive, enthusiasm for work, and an unwavering bond with Officer Martin. Vegas has loved coming to work and has been a dependable partner and a valuable asset to the City of Owatonna. Upon his retirement on January 6, 2026, Vegas will remain with his handler, where he will transition into a well-earned retirement filled with new activities to match his energy and spirit.

Thank you for your service, Vegas, you earned your retirement!

Crosswalk Safety: A Shared Responsibility in Owatonna 

Crosswalks are more than painted lines—they’re legal protections designed to keep everyone safe. Under Minnesota Statute §169.21, drivers must stop and yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and at intersections without markings and remain stopped until the pedestrian has cleared their lane. It’s also illegal to pass another vehicle that’s stopped for a pedestrian. These rules exist to prevent serious injuries and save lives.

Pedestrians play an important role too. The law requires pedestrians to obey traffic signals, avoid stepping suddenly into traffic, yield to vehicles when crossing outside of crosswalks, and use the right half of the crosswalk when possible. Safe behavior on both sides reduces confusion and dangerous situations.

To address ongoing concerns, the Owatonna Police Department’s Traffic Safety Initiative is specifically targeting crosswalk violations as an enforcement priority. Due to citizen complaints, two extra patrol details are currently being conducted at:

• S Cedar Ave & 18th St
• Mineral Springs Rd & Cherry St

Whether you’re behind the wheel or on foot, slowing down, staying alert, and following the law can make a real difference. Crosswalk safety is everyone’s responsibility.