Orland Park proclaims K9 Maverick Day as police dog retires April 6

Mayor James Dodge proclaimed a K9 Maverick Day in the Village of Orland Park ahead of a brief on-floor celebration and remarks from police leadership and the dog’s handler.

The proclamation, read into the record by the clerk, notes that K9 Maverick joined the Orland Park Police Department in 2018 after training in trailing and narcotics detection, was assigned with his handler Officer Joe Summerling to a stolen-auto task force in 2020 that assisted more than 20 agencies and school districts, was deployed more than 200 times, and helped locate kilos of narcotics and complete numerous missing and endangered-person searches. The proclamation also states that Maverick will retire from the department on April 6, 2026.

The chief (identified by title in the transcript) praised the choice of a Hanoverian hound breed for Maverick, recounted the handler-selection process and thanked Officer Summerling. Officer Joe Summerling accepted the tribute and thanked the community and his family, saying of Maverick’s work ethic that it showed "110% all the time." Mayor Dodge encouraged residents to thank Maverick for his dedicated service.

The board presented a retirement badge and applause followed the proclamation and remarks. No board action was required; the recognition was ceremonial.