EAST PROVIDENCE – A K9 who served the community with his handler for seven years – including two in North Smithfield – died this week at age 11.
“Chiko” began his career in law enforcement with the North Smithfield Police Department in 2016, serving at the time with Officer Jay Rainville. Handler Rainville was twice named officer of the year in town before leaving North Smithfield to work with the East Providence Police Department in 2018.
K9 Chiko, a Belgian Malinois, went with him, and served for five years in that department before his retirement in 2023. Certified in patrol work including tracking, criminal apprehension, handler protection, evidence recovery, and narcotics detection, Chiko reportedly assisted in the seizure of 24 pounds of methamphetamine; 10.6 pounds of cocaine; 2 pounds of fentanyl; 15.5 pounds of marijuana; 11.45 grams of heroin and 42.2 grams of crack cocaine during his time in East Providence according to the department.
Like all good boys in law enforcement, Chiko was also a regular at community events, and accompanied Rainville on countless calls for service…