Effective today, the Warsaw Police Department wishes to announce the official retirement of K-9 officer “Buddy”, due to recent medical issues. During his 8 year career, he was handled by Lieutenant Joel Beam. BUDDY, a dual-purpose pure bred Belgian Malinois, was born in the Netherlands on April 11, 2004. BUDDY performed his initial training in Europe and received additional training at Vohne Liche Kennels in Denver, Indiana, in early 2006. BUDDY joined the Warsaw Police Department on June 5, 2006, via a grant from the K21 Foundation.

K-9 BUDDY was involved in numerous narcotic and criminal arrests that can be measured by the hundreds. He is single handedly responsible for saving the lives of two individuals. BUDDY had well over a 1000 calls for service and provided K-9 demonstrations for literally thousands of people. K-9 BUDDY and Lieutenant Joel Beam had great success in the American Working Dog K-9 Olympics. In 2009, the duo was part of a three-man/dog team that finished 1st place in the Patrol Division category. That same year, K-9 BUDDY finished 2nd place in the obedience category. In 2010, Lt. Beam and BUDDY came in 2nd place, as a three-man/dog team, in the Patrol Division category.

BUDDY will remain at home with Lieutenant Beam and his family. The Warsaw Police Department continues to provide two active K-9’s after BUDDY’s retirement. K-9 DAX, handled by Ptl. Phil Reed and K-9 MAKO, handled by Ptl. Trent Shively.

Police K-9’s are valuable law enforcement tools and have proven effective in the areas of narcotic detection, apprehension of fleeing criminals, tracking, and officer/handler protection.