The Buffalo Police Department has announced the retirement of one of its K9 members.
In a social media post, the BPD said Shield, 8, began his police career with handler Lt. Craig Lehner, who drowned during diving training in October 2017. The following March, Shield resumed his police career with new handler Matthew Richards.
Police said in the nearly four years since then, Shield and handler Richards seized over $600,000 in criminal funds. They also took part in the seizure of 15 pounds of cocaine, 5 pounds of crack cocaine, 20 pounds of marijuana, 4 pounds of heroin, 5 handguns and many other articles of evidence.
Shield also located 5 suspects during tracking and building searches, plus 10 more suspect apprehensions by his mere presence, including one homicide suspect.
The BPD said Shield will now remain at home in full retirement mode with his loving family, "hunting down and playing with stray toys."
