CLARKSVILLE, Ind. — A Clarksville Police K9 is hanging up his collar and enjoying a much-deserved retirement.
Chapo has been with the department for the past 6 years and his partner, Sergeant Matt Bauer, says it’s time.
“Some days he still acts like a puppy and other days he second guesses jumping up into our vehicle,” Bauer said. “He’ll be 9 and a half years old when he retires this spring.”
Chapo was born and raised in Poland, like many police or military dogs. He came to the Clarksville Police Department in 2017 when he was purchased from a K9 training facility in Michigan. He is named after the infamous Mexican drug lord El Chapo, according to officials.
Bauer said once the department took ownership of Chapo, they began "intensive training" together for several months before going out into the field together in spring 2018.
“Our very first day on the job, the first car we stopped, Chapo found a hidden bag of meth. I guess you could say it was a good start," Bauer said.
Since that first day, the two have worked many roles together including regular local patrol, uniformed narcotics, and highway patrol. They have worked for law enforcement agencies in Clark, Floyd, and Harrison counties.
While working highway patrols, they would try to find drugs being transported on the interstates. Bauer said they have initiated or been involved in cases that resulted in the seizure of more than $50 million in drugs, cash, and assets.
Officials said Bauer and Chapo's investigations have led to "hundreds of arrests, with a trickle effect of arrests into the thousands."
When it comes to Chapo's retirement, he will continue living with Bauer and his family.
“He’s been a good partner and a great dog," Bauer said.
Chapo will officially retire in March where he will be recognized by Chief Mark Palmer and the Clarksville Town Council in front of his fellow officers.
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