Anaheim : Officer’s Retirement Will Be Child’s Play

Officer Cliff von Hausbaum retired from the Anaheim Police Department Monday after 4 1/2 years of loyal service.

Not a long career by conventional standards, but one roughly equivalent to 30 years for this particular officer.

Cliff, 8, a black and tan German shepherd and a charter member of the department’s canine program, is retiring because of recurring arthritis and a recently diagnosed case of leukemia. During his career, the narcotics specialist recorded nearly 600 searches, sniffed out an estimated $2.6 million worth of illegal drugs and assisted in the arrests of 33 suspects, said Police Chief Jimmie D. Kennedy.

“Cliff’s retirement will be a loss to the department,” Kennedy said.

Patrolman Bob Lay, Cliff’s partner for the last two years, said Cliff is easier to work with than the two-legged partners he has had. “He doesn’t talk back too much and I get the final say in what we’re going to do,” Lay said.

The department is asking individuals and community organizations for donations to pay the $5,000 it will cost to acquire and train Cliff’s replacement.

Meanwhile, Cliff will spend his retirement playing with Robby, 8, and Santina, 20 months--the son and daughter of his ex-partner.