Columbia County initially began a K9 unit in 1989 but it only remained until 1990 when then Deputy Mark Hahn along with K9 partner Greif left employment with Columbia County to be a K9 trainer at the Alabama Canine Law Enforcement Officers Training Center. It was not until 1995 the current K9 program began at Columbia County. Deputy Hahn and his German Shepherd partner Greif returned to Wisconsin in 1991 and served the Portage Police Department from 1992 to 1995.