INDIANAPOLIS — A member of the Indiana State Police is hanging up his collar after years of loyal service.
K-9 Apache had his final shift Tuesday.
Officers held a special ceremony for his retirement, with special treats and all, for a partner who has always answered the call.
"Thank you K-9 Apache for your service and love for the job," said the dispatcher giving Apache's final 10-42 broadcast. A job that brought Apache together with his handler, Senior Trooper Walter Butt, eight years ago.
"After 3 months of training, we were on the road together as partners," said Butt.
Partners for life.
"In my entire life, I did 25 years in the military as well, this is probably the most rewarding thing I've ever done," said Butt.
One of those experiences came in October 2017, when troopers tried to serve a felony warrant on a suspect.
"I released him because the guy ran from me. He engaged the suspect just as the suspect was turning around with a gun to try to shoot me," said Butt.
Apache did what he was trained to do, protect his handler.
"He took a bullet to the neck and saved my life. Had he not been there, it would have been a one-on-one gunfight with the suspect from 7-8 feet away," said Butt.
A few months later, Apache was back on the job, playing a crucial role in drug busts and criminal investigations. Apache seized more than 900 pounds of illegal drugs including a massive drug bust where he sniffed out more than 100 pounds of meth. Apache also seized more than one million dollars, conducted countless searches and recovered more than 150 guns.
And now, eight years later, Apache can relax.
"He can be a dog now and relax, be at home, get his belly rubs and have all the balls he wants," said Butt.
And go from fighting crime to spending time being man's best friend.