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Winston Today
By the People, for the People
Winston Police K9 Nike to Retire
The Belgian Malinois will live with his handler after 8 years of service.
Published on Feb. 25, 2026
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The Winston Police Department's K9 officer Nike, a Belgian Malinois, is set to retire on March 1st after 8 years of service. The police department will host a retirement gathering for Nike on March 6th, and he will live the rest of his years with his current handler, Officer Blake Cordell, and Cordell's family.
Why it matters
Police K9 units play an important role in law enforcement, assisting with tasks like suspect apprehension, narcotics detection, and search and rescue. Nike's retirement marks the end of an era for the Winston Police Department and the local community that has supported the department's K9 program.
The details
Nike, a Belgian Malinois, has served the Winston Police Department for 8 years. He will officially retire on March 1st and live with his current handler, Officer Blake Cordell, and Cordell's family for the rest of his life. The Winston Police Department will host a retirement gathering for Nike on March 6th at the Winston Community Center from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Nike may still make appearances at some Friends of Umpqua Valley Police K9 events in the future, health permitting.
- Nike will retire on March 1, 2026.
- The Winston Police Department will host a retirement gathering for Nike on March 6, 2026 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The players
Nike
A Belgian Malinois who has served the Winston Police Department for 8 years.
Blake Cordell
The current handler of K9 Nike, who will continue to care for Nike in retirement.
Friends of Umpqua Valley Police K9 Programs
A local organization that supports the police department's K9 unit and may host Nike at future events.
What’s next
The Winston Police Department will host a retirement gathering for Nike on March 6, 2026.
The takeaway
The retirement of K9 Nike marks the end of an era for the Winston Police Department and the local community that has supported the department's K9 program. Nike's service over the past 8 years highlights the important role police K9 units play in law enforcement.
