Due to health problems, the Ridgefield Police Department sadly has to say goodbye to one of its police dogs before he is euthanized. However, according to NBC Connecticut, officers are honoring him with one last ride.
The 11-year-old German Shepherd, Zeus, was retired from the K-9 unit on May 20, 2014 because of a severe degenerative hip disorder. Since his health has significantly declined over the past year, the department said they have to put him down.
“Zeus was a valued member of our team as well as our community and will be greatly missed,” Ridgefield police said on Facebook.
Zeus’s handler, Ridgefield Officer Shawn Murray, took care of Zeus since the dog joined the force in 2006, and continued to even after his retirement.
While a member of the police department, Zeus “assisted with 250 narcotics arrests, tracked 50 missing or wanted people, located six people in life-threatening situations and found six suspects on the run after crimes. “In 2006, the same year he joined the force, Zeus helped police find 10 pounds of marijuana.
Wednesday will be Zeus’s last ride with the force and is scheduled to begin at 4:45 p.m. Police officers from area agencies as well as community members are expected to be in attendance to pay tribute and watch the ride.